Azerbaijan Airlines plane's terrifying final moments before crash as passengers panic and pray

A chilling video message recorded by a terrified passenger during a plane crash has laid bare the horror inside the ill-fated aircraft. The mobile phone footage shows passengers seemingly aware of their impending doom, with some heard praying and others visibly panicking.

Oxygen masks can be seen dangling from above the seats while men stand in the aisle. The video also reveals parts of the plane's interior hanging loose and a deflated yellow life jacket tossed over another seat.

The clip concludes with debris strewn everywhere following what seems to have been a crash landing. One man is attempting to escape through a shattered open window, while others appear trapped in their seats.

Read more Azerbaijan Airlines pilot's haunting five final words before plane went down

The doomed Azerbaijan Airlines jet crashed and erupted into flames in Aktau, Kazakhstan on Christmas Day. The Embraer E190AR had sent out a distress signal after colliding with a bird, intending to reach Grozny in Russia.

At least 32 people survived, but 38 are confirmed dead in the crash, according to Kazakhstan Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova. Seven survivors, including two girls aged 11 and 16, are reported to be in critical condition, reports the Mirror.

In a tragic turn of events, an Azerbaijan Airlines jet crashed in Kazakhstan after the pilot reported a bird strike. Originally diverted due to thick fog, the aircraft met disaster two miles from an airport, its fuselage tearing apart and partly erupting into flames.

Online videos capture the shocking moments passengers escaped from the fragmented airplane. The flight carried 62 passengers and five crew members; two girls aged 11 and 16 miraculously survived and are now being treated in hospital.

In a harrowing attempt captured on dramatic footage, the pilot fought to pull the plane from a dangerous descent to regain control before it smashed to the ground and was engulfed by fire. Emergency services found the crash site scattered, with sections hundreds of yards apart.

A Ministry of Health spokesperson confirmed: "The girls are receiving all the necessary medical care in hospitals in the region. Twenty-three ambulance teams were mobilised to the scene of the incident."

Further video evidence from bystanders reveals the burnt remains of the plane, including peculiar punch-like indentations on its exterior. These "bullet hole" marks have sparked further speculation concerning the true cause of the devastating accident, as survivors and crew members report hearing an "explosion" during the flight.

Both pilots perished and only one flight attendant, a woman, survived the crash. Authorities have stated that it's currently impossible to confirm the number of fatalities.

The aircraft burst into flames while attempting an emergency landing near Aktau. Footage circulating online captured the plane descending rapidly with its landing gear deployed.

The airline confirmed that the plane "made an emergency landing" two miles from Aktau. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had to abruptly end his trip to Russia, where he was set to participate in a summit.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked: "Unfortunately, Azerbaijan's President Aliyev was forced to leave St Petersburg. Putin has already called him and expressed his condolences in connection with the crash of the Azerbaijani plane in Aktau. We deeply sympathise with those who lost their relatives and friends in this plane crash and wish a speedy recovery to all those who managed to survive."

Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 was flying from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Grozny in Russia but had to divert due to foggy conditions. The Embraer 190 left Baku at 3.55 am and crashed at 6.28 am, as reported by Flightradar24 data.

The flight was predominantly carrying Azerbaijani nationals, as well as passengers from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. The government of Kazakhstan has established a commission to determine the cause of the crash, with a spokesperson stating: "The Commission was instructed to immediately fly to the scene of the accident, ensure a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the crash."

Azerbaijan's First Lady and Vice-President, Mehriban Aliyeva, expressed her deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life, saying: "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. Wishing them strength and patience. I also wish a speedy recovery to the injured."

Passengers, dazed and covered in blood, were seen emerging from the severed rear section of the plane, with some sitting in shock on the ground after escaping, while others managed to walk away from the wreckage.