A devastating crash of an Azerbaijani airliner near Kazakhstan is suspected to have been caused by a bird strike, according to a preliminary probe reported by Reuters, quoting Russia’s aviation watchdog. The tragic incident has left at least 35 people feared dead.
Emergency specialists are tirelessly working at the crash site near the city of Aktau. Russia’s aviation watchdog stated on Telegram, “Preliminary: after a collision with birds, due to an emergency on board, its commander decided to ‘go’ to an alternate airfield – Aktau was chosen.”
The ill-fated aircraft was flying from Azerbaijan’s Baku to Russia’s Grozny with 62 passengers and five crew members on board. Kazakh authorities have confirmed the rescue of 32 survivors, including two children.
Azerbaijan Airlines acknowledged that the flight was forced to make an emergency landing approximately 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from Aktau. However, officials have not yet clarified why the plane crossed the Caspian Sea. The crash coincided with drone strikes targeting southern Russia, leading to the closure of a nearby Russian airport due to ongoing drone activity, Reuters reported. This has raised questions about whether airspace restrictions influenced the jet’s emergency diversion.
Kazakh authorities have formed a government commission to investigate the crash. Commission members have been dispatched to the site to ensure families of the victims receive necessary support.
Expressions of Condolence
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his condolences, as did Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, who cut short his visit to Russia, where he was scheduled to attend a summit. Ramzan Kadyrov, the Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya, also offered condolences and noted that some of the injured were in extremely serious condition. He urged prayers for their swift recovery.
This tragic incident has left many unanswered questions, with authorities continuing to probe the factors contributing to the crash while supporting those affected by this heartbreaking event.
