Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crashes in Kazakhstan – Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crashes near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 and leaving 32 survivors. Investigations underway as authorities probe potential causes.
ragedy Strikes as Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crashes in Kazakhstan
On Christmas Day 2024, tragedy struck as an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, resulting in at least 38 fatalities. The ill-fated Flight J2-8243, carrying 67 people, was diverted from its original destination of Grozny, Chechnya, due to heavy fog.
The aircraft, attempting an emergency landing, went down approximately 3 kilometers from Aktau airport. Among the 62 passengers and 5 crew members, 32 survived the crash, including two children. Many survivors are reported to be in critical condition.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev urged caution against speculation, stating, “While there are various theories, we must await the investigation’s findings before drawing conclusions.”
Flight Details and Circumstances
Initial reports suggest a possible bird strike may have led to the emergency. However, investigators are also examining other factors, including:
- Heavy fog in Grozny that necessitated the diversion
- Closure of a nearby Russian airport due to drone activity
- Potential GPS jamming in the region
Possible Causes Under Investigation
A joint investigation is underway, involving authorities from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia. Azerbaijan has sent a high-level team to the crash site, including the deputy prosecutor general and emergency situations minister.
National Mourning and Flight Suspensions
In response to the tragedy, Azerbaijan has declared December 26th a national day of mourning and suspended flights between Baku and Grozny, as well as Baku and Makhachkala.
As the investigation continues, authorities are focusing on potential technical issues and the impact of airspace closures. The aircraft’s black box has been recovered, which should provide crucial data to determine the cause of this devastating crash.
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