Thu Dec 26 00:11:40 UTC 2024: ## Azerbaijani Jet Crash in Kazakhstan Kills at Least 38
**Aktau, Kazakhstan** – At least 38 people died and 29 survived when an Azerbaijani passenger jet crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday. Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, en route from Baku to Russia’s Grozny, deviated hundreds of miles from its planned course before impacting the Caspian Sea shore. Survivors were rushed to local hospitals for treatment.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. While Russia’s aviation watchdog suggests a possible bird strike leading to an emergency, an aviation expert questioned this theory. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that initial reports indicated bad weather forced the plane to change course, but emphasized the need for a thorough investigation. Video footage shows the plane descending rapidly before impacting the ground and erupting in flames.
The passengers included citizens of Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. While the exact number of casualties varies slightly across reports, at least 38 fatalities have been confirmed. The incident follows an earlier report of a different Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash near Aktau on Tuesday. Authorities are working to determine the precise cause of the tragedy.
First Piper 