Wed Dec 25 08:10:01 UTC 2024: ## Azerbaijan Airliner Crashes in Kazakhstan, Killing at Least 38
**Aktau, Kazakhstan –** A tragic air crash claimed the lives of at least 38 people on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, when an Azerbaijani airliner crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau. The Embraer 190 aircraft, en route from Baku to Grozny, Russia, was carrying 66 passengers and crew. Initial reports suggested a bird strike caused an emergency situation, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing.
The plane crashed approximately 3 kilometers from Aktau, resulting in a devastating fireball. While initial reports from Kazakhstani authorities stated a lower death toll, revised figures from both Kazakhstani and Azerbaijani officials placed the confirmed fatalities at 38, with the final number potentially higher. At least 29 survivors have been confirmed.
The passengers included Azerbaijani, Russian, Kazakhstani, and Kyrgyzstani citizens. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev cut short his trip to St. Petersburg to return home and expressed his condolences, while Russian President Vladimir Putin also offered his sympathies. Both countries are conducting investigations into the cause of the crash. Embraer, the aircraft manufacturer, has stated its willingness to cooperate with the investigations. Mobile phone footage circulating online shows the plane’s final moments and the immediate aftermath. Flight data suggests the possibility of GPS jamming near the crash site. Azerbaijan Airlines has pledged to provide updates and is cooperating with the authorities.
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