A passenger plane has crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. Russian news agencies have given this information quoting the Emergency Ministry of Kazakhstan. According to the report, there were 67 passengers and 5 crew members on board the Azerbaijan Airlines plane. Many people are feared dead in the accident.
The Embraer 190 (e 190) plane was en route from Azerbaijan's capital Baku to Grzony in Russia's Chechnya but was rerouted due to fog in Grozny.
Quoting Kazakhstan's Emergency Ministry, the report said that fire brigades have been deployed to control the fire at the site of the plane crash. At present, information about the victims is being collected. According to initial information, some people have survived the accident.
25 People were Rescued in the Accident
Kazakhstan's Transport Ministry said that there were 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 16 citizens of Russia, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan and 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan on board the plane.
Chechen leader Ramzan Akhmatovich Kadyrov expressed grief over the plane crash on his Telegram channel and claimed that 25 people were rescued alive in the accident, although the number of those killed is said to be 40.
What was the Reason Behind the Plane Crash?
The main reason behind the plane crash is believed to be a bird strike on the plane, after which the pilot decided to divert the plane towards Aktau and then had to make an emergency landing.
However, experts are also investigating other possible factors, including mechanical failures and operational errors.
National carrier Azerbaijan Airlines confirmed the emergency landing attempt in a statement, saying the crash site was 3 kilometers from Aktau airport. The airline has said it will provide further updates when more details become available.
BREAKING: Azerbaijan Airlines flight traveling from Baku to Grozny crashes in Aktau, Kazakhstan, after reportedly requesting an emergency landing pic.twitter.com/hB5toqEFe2
— RT (@RT_com) December 25, 2024
In the video going viral on social media, it can be clearly seen that the plane is falling rapidly to the ground. The plane caught fire as soon as it hit the ground. In another footage, the rear part of the plane was seen separated from the wings and the rest of the part was seen lying upside down in the grass. In some videos posted on social media, survivors can be seen pulling fellow passengers from the wreckage of the plane.
