Mass Deaths as Passenger Plain Crashes in Kazakhstan, Video Emerges
by by Bada Yusuf · Legit.ng News · Join- A plane crash occurred near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday morning, December 25, recording several deaths
- 62 passengers and five crew members were said to be on board the plane, which was reportedly travelling from Baku to Grozny in Russia's Chechen region
- Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations, preliminary information suggests that there are survivors, although the exact number of victims is still being clarified
A devastating plane crash occurred near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday morning, December 25, involving an Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines.
The plane, carrying 62 passengers and five crew members, was travelling from Baku to Grozny in Russia's Chechen region when it crashed approximately three kilometres from Aktau. Rescue teams arrived at the scene to find the aircraft engulfed in flames, and emergency services were deployed to extinguish the fire.
According to Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations, preliminary information suggests that there are survivors, although the exact number of victims is still being clarified. Azerbaijan Airlines confirmed the incident on its Facebook page, stating that flight J2-8243 had made an emergency landing near Aktau. The airline promised to provide additional information regarding the incident to the public.
Authorities opened investigations on Azerbaijan plane crash
The BBC reported that the cause of the crash is still unknown, but authorities have opened an inquiry into several possible causes, including a technical malfunction. Russian news agencies reported that the plane had been rerouted due to fog in Grozny, and initial reports suggested that the pilot had decided to make an emergency landing after a bird strike.
Videos of the crash have emerged on social media, showing the aircraft plummeting to the ground and erupting into a fireball. Bloodied and bruised passengers could be seen stumbling from a piece of the fuselage that had remained intact.
As the investigation into the crash continues, authorities have confirmed that at least 25 people survived the incident, while the exact number of fatalities is still pending. The crash has sent shockwaves around the world, and condolences have been pouring in for the families of the victims.
See the video of the crash here:
NAF helicopter crash in Niger
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The force's spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the aircraft was discovered to have crashed soon after its takeoff.
The force authority added that mission to rescue the crew and passengers were ongoing while the number of casualties was yet to be ascertained.