The ill-fated flight, carrying 67 passengers and five crew members, was en route from Baku to Grozny when disaster struck. Dramatic footage captured the aircraft engulfed in flames and thick black smoke as it hit the ground. Survivors, bloodied and dazed, stumbled out of the wreckage, their faces reflecting the horror of the ordeal.
Crash Details and Emergency Response
The crash occurred just three kilometers from Aktau, a critical oil and gas hub in Kazakhstan. The Embraer E190AR aircraft issued a distress signal at an altitude of 2,125 feet over the Caspian Sea. Preliminary reports suggest that a bird strike led to the explosion of an onboard oxygen tank, triggering the catastrophic crash.
Rescue teams acted swiftly, extinguishing the flames and transporting survivors to nearby hospitals. Of the 28 survivors, seven remain in critical condition, including two children aged 11 and 16. Tragically, both pilots are believed to have perished, with a female flight attendant reportedly the sole crew member to survive.
Condolences and International Reactions
The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of grief and condolences. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, attending a summit in Russia at the time, returned to Baku immediately after the news. Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his sympathies to Aliyev, while Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov expressed his prayers for the survivors.
Authorities in Kazakhstan have launched an official investigation, forming a government commission to determine the cause of the crash and provide support to victims’ families. In a show of solidarity, local residents were urged to donate blood for the injured, highlighting the community’s unity in the face of tragedy.
Eyewitness Accounts and Survivor Stories
Eyewitness footage showed passengers escaping from the severed rear section of the plane, some in shock and others assisting fellow survivors. The aircraft had reportedly attempted an emergency landing in Aktau after being rerouted due to heavy fog in Grozny and Makhachkala.
Survivors described terrifying moments as smoke filled the cabin following the explosion, with many losing consciousness during the crash. The wreckage, scattered across Aktau airport grounds, stood as a grim reminder of the disaster.
Investigation Underway
The crash has prompted a collaborative investigation by Kazakh and Azerbaijani authorities. Officials are examining potential technical failures and other contributing factors to ensure such a tragedy does not happen again.
The crash has left an indelible mark on both nations, with global attention now focused on uncovering the truth behind this heartbreaking incident.
