Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crash: Harrowing Details Emerge from Kazakhstan Mishap

In a tragic incident on Wednesday, an Azerbaijan Airlines flight crashed near Kazakhstan’s Aktau, leaving 38 dead and 29 others hospitalized. The Embraer 190 jet, en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, veered off course reportedly due to dense fog, ultimately plummeting to the ground near the Caspian Sea shoreline.

Moments of Chaos Captured

Passengers aboard the ill-fated flight captured horrifying footage, revealing the panic and despair inside the plane before and after the crash.

Disturbing Videos: Shared on social media, one video showed a man praying moments before impact, as sounds of terror and the plane’s engine roared in the background.

Survivors’ Struggles: Another video showed bloodied passengers trying to exit the wreckage, with one visibly injured passenger bleeding from the head.

These videos, widely circulated but yet to be independently verified, provide a glimpse into the horrifying ordeal faced by those onboard.

Survivors and Casualties

Authorities reported 29 survivors rescued and taken to local hospitals. The plane carried 62 passengers and five crew members. The death toll of 38 includes nationals from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.

Crash Details and Investigation

Flight Radar data showed the plane veering off its scheduled northwest route from Baku to Grozny, crossing the Caspian Sea before crashing near Aktau.

Possible Bird Strike: Azerbaijan Airlines initially attributed the crash to a bird strike but later retracted the statement.

Ongoing Investigation: Kazakhstan’s prosecutor general’s office stated that all possible causes are being explored, with expert analyses underway.

Eyewitness Accounts

Local residents described haunting scenes near the crash site:

Plumes of Smoke: Videos captured the aircraft bursting into flames upon impact, sending thick black smoke into the sky.

Injured Passengers: Bloodied and injured passengers were seen stumbling away from the wreckage, some pleading for help.

A Kazakh woman, who rushed to assist survivors, recounted heart-wrenching moments. “A girl pleaded: ‘Save my mother, my mother is back there,’” she said, recalling the despair in the eyes of those injured.

International Condolences

Officials from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia have expressed condolences to the victims’ families. Rescuers and investigators are working tirelessly to uncover the cause of the tragedy.

This incident underscores the fragility of air travel and highlights the importance of stringent safety measures and thorough investigations to prevent similar catastrophes in the future.