Azerbaijan Airlines Flight Crashes in Kazakhstan: 38 Dead, 29 Survive
On December 25, 2024, an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 passenger jet, flight J2-8243, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan. 38 people died and 29 were injured. Learn about the tragic Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan.
Table of Contents
ToggleFlight Details and Deviation
The plane took off from Baku, Azerbaijan, and was going to Grozny, Russia. The aeroplane was diverted due to strong fog near Grozny; first meant to land in Makhachkala, Russia, it was rerouted. But bad weather there drove the crew to look for an emergency landing in Aktau, Kazakhstan. The plane swerved greatly off course during this diversion, crossing the Caspian Sea before the accident.
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Casualties and Survivors
Including pilots, the tragedy claimed 38 lives. Of the 29 survivors, two are minors; all have been hospitalised; several are in grave condition.
Eyewitness Reports and Onboarding Video
A surviving passenger from the Aktau plane crash manages to capture footage of inside the cabin pic.twitter.com/shIblEmV1d
— RT (@RT_com) December 25, 2024
Passenger-captured footage shows the terrifying events both before and following the disaster. One video shows a guy praying in terror, while another shows injured people trying to flee the carnage.
A passenger captured the final moments of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane before its crash in Kazakhstan. pic.twitter.com/OOJ5Wpagbq
— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) December 25, 2024
Investigations and Speculations
Russia’s aviation authority’s first findings indicated a bird strike as the likely reason. Images of fuselage perforations, however, have sparked rumours of a suspected missile strike—perhaps from Russian air defences mistaking the aircraft for a threat among regional tensions. With the black box of the aeroplane recovered for analysis, authorities from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia are looking at things holistically.
Official Responses
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced December 26 a national day of sorrow and highlighted the need to avoid premature conclusions regarding the Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crash cause. Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights between Baku and Grozny, as well as Baku and Makhachkala, until the outcome of the investigation.
Ильхам Алиев провел совещание в связи с авиакатастрофой. pic.twitter.com/KoD1pKZKUB
— Ilham Aliyev (@presidentaz) December 25, 2024
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Ongoing Investigation
Technical problems, possible misidentification by air defence systems, and the effect of regional conflicts on aviation safety are among the several elements under investigation. The manufacturer of the aircraft, Embraer, has stated its will to help with the investigation.