The crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 near Aktau in western Kazakhstan has sparked various conspiracy theories, particularly on social media. While a preliminary investigation suggests that the crash was caused by a bird collision, rumors have circulated that the plane may have been mistakenly shot down by Russian air defense systems.
Flight Details and Casualties
The flight, which departed from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, had 67 passengers and five crew members onboard. Tragically, 38 people were killed when the plane crashed while attempting an emergency landing near Aktau.
Suspicious Videos and Shrapnel Theories
Several videos showing holes in the plane’s fuselage have gone viral, fueling speculation that the aircraft was hit by shrapnel, possibly from a missile. However, these videos have not been independently verified. In one clip, bullet-like holes were also seen on a life jacket inside the plane.
Crew’s Initial Assumptions and Possible Explosion
Reports suggest that the crew initially believed the damage was caused by a bird strike but later hypothesized that the aircraft suffered an explosion from an oxygen tank. The explosion allegedly caused significant damage to the fuselage, leading to the plane’s scattering into fragments.
Social Media Speculation: Russian Air Defense Involvement
Conspiracy theorists on social media have suggested that the plane may have been accidentally intercepted by Russian air defense systems. Foreign defense analyst James J Marlow, citing unconfirmed reports, mentioned that the incident occurred as Russian defenses were potentially targeting Ukrainian drones in the area. Flight tracking data also revealed that the plane first flew over Dagestan before disappearing from radar and reappearing over Kazakhstan.
Disturbing Footage from the Plane’s Final Moments
In the days following the crash, videos of the final moments inside the plane began circulating on social media. Footage shared by Russian media outlet RT showed passengers in panic, with one man bleeding from his head and another attempting to exit the aircraft. The chaos inside was heightened by the roar of the aircraft’s engine, while some passengers were seen praying as the crash unfolded.
