Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has ordered a criminal investigation into the deadly crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flight that claimed the lives of 38 people on December 25.
The Embraer 190 aircraft, which was en route from Baku to Grozny, Russia, diverted due to an emergency and crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau.
The Azerbaijani airliner crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, resulting in the tragic loss of 38 lives and leaving 29 survivors. The aircraft had 67 people on board.
In response to the disaster, Azerbaijan Airlines has since suspended all flights between Baku and Grozny, as well as to Makhachkala in southern Russia, until the investigation is completed.
Tragic crash near Aktau
The crash occurred roughly 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from Aktau, a city located on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. According to Kazakh officials, the aircraft was attempting an emergency landing 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from Aktau after it was diverted from its original flight path.
Initial reports indicated that 32 people had survived the crash, but figures varied, with some sources citing 29 survivors.
Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbaev disclosed the death toll during a meeting with Azerbaijani officials, stating that 38 passengers and crew members had perished in the crash.
The passengers included 42 Azerbaijani nationals, 16 Russians, six Kazakhs, and three from Kyrgyzstan.
Azerbaijan President Aliyev launches probe
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who was en route to St. Petersburg in Russia for a summit of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) leaders, was informed of the disaster while still in Russian airspace. He immediately ordered his plane to return to Azerbaijan to address the incident.
Upon landing in Baku, President Aliyev convened a high-level meeting to discuss the situation and ordered the formation of an investigative commission.
“The information provided to me is that the plane changed its course due to worsening weather conditions, heading toward Aktau, where it tragically crashed,” President Aliyev said. It is too early to speculate on the causes of the crash, but a thorough investigation will be conducted, he stated.
Aliyev expressed his condolences on social media, stating, “It is with deep sadness that I express my condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.” He declared December 26 as a day of national mourning in Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani government has assured the public that the investigation will be transparent, and regular updates will be provided. A criminal case has been initiated by the Prosecutor General’s Office, which is also working closely with Kazakh counterparts.
Ongoing investigation and rescue efforts
Azerbaijan’s State Commission for Investigation, led by Prime Minister Ali Asadov, convened to examine the causes of the crash.
The commission has prioritized providing assistance to the injured, with Health Minister Teymur Musayev coordinating medical support in collaboration with Kazakh authorities. A hotline has been established at Heydar Aliyev International Airport to notify families of those involved and offer psychological support.
In addition to investigating the causes of the crash, the Azerbaijani government is working closely with Kazakh officials to ensure that survivors receive appropriate care and that the families of the victims are supported.
Kazakh and Azerbaijani authorities continue to work in tandem to uncover the cause of this devastating crash.
Public reaction and social media videos
Disturbing footage circulating on social media appeared to show the aircraft in a steep descent before crashing in a fiery explosion.
Some videos showed survivors dragging fellow passengers away from the wreckage. The plane’s flight tracking data, obtained from FlightRadar24, indicated erratic movements in its final minutes, including fluctuating altitude as the aircraft approached Aktau.
Additionally, the aircraft was reported to have experienced “strong GPS jamming” in the region, a phenomenon that has previously been attributed to Russian interference.
AZAL pauses flights to south Russia after deadly crash
Azerbaijan Airlines has since suspended all flights between Baku and Grozny, as well as to Makhachkala in southern Russia, until the investigation is completed. The airline has vowed to keep the public informed as new details emerge.
The airline said it’s suspending flights to both Grozny and Makhachkala until the investigation is complete.
International reaction
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has formed a special commission, led by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, to investigate the crash. The commission has visited the crash site, where local authorities are coordinating rescue efforts. Tokayev also ordered the deployment of medical teams from Astana to assist the injured.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed deep sorrow over the deadly crash “On behalf of our nation, I offer my condolences to both brotherly countries – Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan and my wishes for peace,” the Turkish president stated.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a message of condolences to President Ilham Aliyev, expressing his sympathies over the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane in Kazakhstan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed his condolences to President Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan. At the CIS summit, Putin confirmed that Russia’s Emergency Ministry had dispatched a plane with medical workers and equipment to assist Kazakhstan with the aftermath of the crash.