Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crashes in Kazakhstan’s Aktau

An Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) aircraft, en route from Baku to Grozny, tragically crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25, 2024, leaving 29 survivors, some critically injured.

The aircraft, flying from Baku to Grozny, the capital city of Chechnya, Russia, reportedly changed course due to worsening weather conditions and began moving towards Aktau airport.

According to a statement from AZAL’s press service, the Embraer 190 aircraft had 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members, when it attempted an emergency landing approximately 3 kilometers from the city of Aktau. According to the preliminary information, the emergency landing was reportedly necessitated by a bird strike that caused significant control system failures. The causes of the accident are being investigated.

Among those aboard the plane were 37 Azerbaijani nationals, 16 Russian citizens, six Kazakh nationals, and three Kyrgyz citizens. 

The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan reports that 29 individuals have been hospitalized following the plane crash near Aktau. The injured include 15 Azerbaijani citizens, 9 Russians, 2 Kyrgyz nationals, and the citizenship of 3 other individuals is still being confirmed. Two of the injured are children.

Rescue efforts are ongoing, and authorities continue to provide updates.

Flights operated by AZAL on the Baku-Grozny-Baku and Baku-Makhachkala-Baku routes have been suspended pending the completion of the investigation. Other flights continue to operate on their regular schedule.

The tragic incident has prompted an outpouring of condolences from world leaders. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev declared December 26 a National Day of Mourning in honor of the victims. While en route to Russia for the informal summit of CIS heads of state in St. Petersburg, President Aliyev redirected his flight back to Azerbaijan upon learning of the incident. While on board, he issued instructions to state agencies to investigate the causes of the crash and take urgent measures.

President Aliyev also signed a decree establishing a state commission to investigate the causes of the crash and coordinate the response to the incident.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev launched a special commission, led by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, to investigate the crash. The commission has visited the scene, where local authorities are providing assistance and coordinating rescue efforts. President Tokayev also ordered the deployment of medical teams from Astana to provide crucial care to the injured.

In a powerful display of solidarity, residents across Kazakhstan, including in Astana, have gathered to honor the victims, with many leaving flowers in memory of those who lost their lives in the crash.