Tragedy struck today when an Azerbaijan Airlines flight, J2-8243, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing several passengers and crew members.
The flight, en route from Baku to Grozny, Russia, was forced to make an emergency landing after a bird strike severely damaged the aircraft's control systems.
Despite the catastrophic impact and ensuing blaze, a total of 29 survivors emerged from the wreckage, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the devastating loss.
The plane, which was carrying 67 people – including 62 passengers and five crew members – tragically took the lives of those who perished in the crash. Thankfully, there were no children on board, as confirmed by Azerbaijan Airlines.
The survivors, many with serious injuries, are now receiving medical treatment, while investigations continue to determine the exact cause of the crash.
How the plane crashed
The plane's crew attempted to navigate the emergency after the bird strike, but after an oxygen cylinder exploded, several passengers lost consciousness. The aircraft was forced to circle Aktau airport before crashing into a field about 3km away. Despite the severity of the crash and the ensuing flames, rescuers were able to save 29 passengers, many of whom are now hospitalised.
Eyewitnesses and flight data indicate that the plane was descending rapidly before the crash. Emergency responders worked quickly to extinguish the fire and retrieve survivors from the wreckage.
The authorities have opened hotlines to assist the families of the victims and are continuing to provide updates on the condition of the survivors.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is still ongoing, with aviation experts examining the bird strike and potential technical issues that could have contributed to the incident. Investigators are expected to release more information as the situation develops.
Survivors and casualties
The passengers included 37 from Azerbaijan, 16 from Russia, six from Kazakhstan, and three from Kyrgyzstan.
While the death toll remains under investigation, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Health confirmed that 12 people sustained serious injuries, with six remaining in critical condition.
The survival of 29 people from the wreckage is being described as miraculous, considering the extent of the damage and the explosion that followed the crash.
Azerbaijan Airlines has expressed its condolences to the families of the victims, and has promised to provide all necessary support for the survivors' recovery.
Condolences
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov have expressed their condolences, offering sympathy to those who lost loved ones in the crash.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, who was attending a summit in Russia, cut short his visit to return to Baku and oversee the response to the tragedy.
The crash of Azerbaijan Airlines flight follows a series of air disasters in the region. On January 21, 2024, a Russian-registered Dassault Falcon 10 had crashed in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province. The plane, en route from Thailand to Moscow, carried six people, with four survivors and two in uncertain condition.
Another significant incident occurred on December 27, 2019, when Bek Air Flight 2100, a Fokker 100, crashed shortly after takeoff from Almaty, Kazakhstan, resulting in 12 fatalities and 67 injuries. Investigations pointed to pilot error and poor weather conditions as contributing factors.
In 2018, the crash of Flydubai Flight 981, a Boeing 737-800, near Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, killed 35 people, including 33 passengers and two crew members, with the crash attributed to pilot error and weather challenges.