On December 25, 2024, an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 aircraft en route from Baku to Grozny crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, resulting in 38 fatalities and 29 survivors.
The flight, carrying 62 passengers and five crew members, was diverted to Aktau due to dense fog in Grozny. Preliminary reports suggest a possible collision with a flock of birds, leading to engine failure and the subsequent crash.
Rescue teams promptly arrived at the crash site, extinguishing fires and assisting survivors. Bodycam footage from Kazakh emergency responders reveals the harrowing aftermath, with debris and personal belongings scattered across the area.
The passenger manifest included nationals from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has initiated a thorough investigation into the incident, with the aircraft’s black box recovered for analysis.
This tragedy has prompted discussions on aviation safety and emergency response protocols, as authorities work to determine the exact cause of the crash and implement measures to prevent future occurrences.
