Azerbaijan Airlines plane headed to Russia crashes hundreds of miles off course, dozens feared dead
A tragic incident unfolded near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan on Wednesday when an Azerbaijan Airlines flight crashed, leaving dozens of passengers feared dead. The Embraer 190 passenger jet was en route from Azerbaijan to Russia with 62 passengers and five crew members on board. Kazakh authorities reported that 32 survivors had been rescued following the crash.
The flight, identified as J2-8243, had deviated significantly from its scheduled route, flying across the Caspian Sea before crashing on the opposite shore. The reason for this unexpected route change was not immediately clear, but it occurred shortly after drone strikes hit southern Russia. Drone activity in the area has previously led to the closure of airports, including the nearest Russian airport on the plane’s flight path, which was closed on the morning of the crash.
Russia’s aviation watchdog suggested that the crash may have been caused by a bird strike, while initial reports indicated that both pilots had tragically lost their lives. Of the passengers on board, there were 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian nationals, six Kazakhstani citizens, and three Kyrgyzstani citizens. Emergency workers at the scene reported recovering four bodies and hospitalizing 29 survivors, including two children, with many passengers still unaccounted for.
Video footage captured the harrowing descent of the plane before it burst into flames upon impact with the seashore, sending thick black smoke billowing into the air. Bloodied and bruised passengers were seen emerging from a piece of the fuselage that remained intact. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who was en route to Russia, returned to Azerbaijan upon learning of the crash. He expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and declared a day of mourning in Azerbaijan on December 26.
Azerbaijan Airlines pledged to keep the public informed and changed its social media banners to a somber black in mourning. The airline extended its prayers for the passengers and crew members who lost their lives and wished a swift recovery to those who were injured. The tragic crash has left a deep impact on the aviation community and serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in air travel.
As investigations into the cause of the crash continue, the aviation industry mourns the lives lost in this devastating incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims during this difficult time.
