A devastating plane crash near Aktau, a city on Kazakhstan’s Caspian Sea coast, has left 38 dead and 29 injured, including 11 in critical condition. The accident, involving an Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, occurred on Wednesday morning. While officials initially pointed to a bird strike as the likely cause, disturbing footage has emerged, sparking speculation that the plane may have been shot at mid-air.
A Fatal Morning
The Embraer 190 was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, when disaster struck. According to Kazakh officials, the pilots reported colliding with a flock of birds, which caused severe control system failures. In dense fog over Grozny, the aircraft was redirected to Makhachkala in Dagestan but was subsequently sent to Aktau as weather conditions worsened. Tragically, during an attempted emergency landing, the plane broke apart and burst into flames.
Kanat Bozumbayev, Kazakhstan’s deputy prime minister and head of the investigative commission, confirmed that most of the victims’ remains were badly burned, necessitating specialized identification procedures. Among the 67 people aboard, the victims included citizens of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia. Three Kyrgyz nationals were also on board and survived.
🚨FLIGHT CRASH🚨
— Parikh Vedant (@ParikhVedant3) December 25, 2024
– Complete video of plane crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight no J28243 Embraer ERJ190 Reg No. 4K-AZ65 Flying from Baku(GYD) to Grozny(GRV) Crashed at Aktau, Kazakhstan#planecrash #Aktau #Azerbaijanairlines #KazakhstanPlaneCrash #Kazakistan #J28243 pic.twitter.com/bbGS7ckRwY
Speculation Mounts
As news of the crash spread, video footage showing the aircraft’s charred fuselage added fuel to growing speculation. Observers noted markings resembling bullet or shrapnel holes, raising questions about whether the plane was targeted in a tragic case of mistaken identity. Some suggest it might have been confused with a Ukrainian drone, given the heightened military tensions in the region.
The proximity of Chechnya, a hotspot for Ukrainian drone activity, further complicates the narrative. Local air defenses in the area are reportedly on high alert, employing GPS jamming and other measures to counter aerial threats. Investigators are now exploring the possibility that defensive actions might have inadvertently caused the catastrophe.
The Investigation
Kazakhstan’s authorities have recovered the plane’s black box, which is expected to shed light on the final moments before the crash. A formal investigation has been launched, focusing on potential violations of aviation safety regulations.
Azerbaijan Airlines, in a heartfelt statement, expressed their grief: “Today is an incredibly tragic day for Azerbaijan Airlines. We share the pain of the families of the passengers and crew who lost their lives in the Embraer-190 crash near Aktau. We extend our deepest condolences and wish the injured a swift recovery.”
#BREAKING #JUSTIN The final moments of the #Azerbaijan Airlines plane before its crash in #Kazakhstan was captured by a passenger onboard.
— Elite Theory (@Elite_Theory) December 25, 2024
Aftermath also included in the footage. #planecrash #KazakhstanPlaneCrash pic.twitter.com/LffJxcE0iB
A Day of Mourning
In response to the tragedy, Azerbaijan has declared December 26 a national day of mourning. Flags will fly at half-mast as the country remembers the lives lost in the crash.