Plane Crashes in Kazakhstan with 72 on Board in Christmas Day: 29 Survived

Azerbaijan airlines plane crashes

A tragic aviation accident occurred today, December 25, 2024, as an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 aircraft carrying 67 passengers and five crew members crashed during an emergency landing near Aktau, in western Kazakhstan. The flight, en route from Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, to Grozny, the capital of Russia’s Chechnya republic, sent out a distress signal before the crash.

The aircraft, with registration number 4K-AZ65, reported a collision with a bird, which caused a steering control failure. This prompted the crew to declare an emergency at an altitude of 2,125 feet over the Caspian Sea. Thick fog initially prevented the flight from landing at its intended destination in Grozny and another alternate airport in Makhachkala, forcing it to divert to Aktau. Tragically, the plane descended steeply, its nose pointing down excessively, before crashing approximately three kilometers from Aktau Airport.

Eyewitness footage of the crash captured harrowing scenes as the aircraft burst into flames upon impact, sending plumes of thick black smoke into the sky. The plane broke into multiple parts upon landing, making the scene of the crash chaotic and devastating.

Video - Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crashes in Kazakhstan:

The crash occurred at approximately 10:30 AM local time, according to the Kazakh emergency services. Kazakhstan’s Emergency Situations Ministry responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching personnel to extinguish the fire and secure the area. A statement from the ministry confirmed that initial reports of survivors were accurate but emphasized that the final casualty figures are still being clarified.

At least six people survived the crash but are in critical condition, according to Kazakhstan’s Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova. Another source suggested that up to 29 individuals may have survived, though these figures remain unconfirmed. Rescue operations are ongoing, with medical teams providing urgent care to those found alive.

Among the 105 passengers and crew members on board, at least 60 were Russian nationals, according to initial reports. Azerbaijan Airlines, the national carrier of Azerbaijan, confirmed the flight details and expressed deep regret over the incident.

"The aircraft made an emergency landing near Aktau due to technical issues following a bird strike," the airline said in a statement.

This incident, occurring on Christmas Day, marks a grim reminder of the importance of aviation safety, particularly during adverse weather conditions and technical emergencies. Further updates will follow as authorities release more details.