In a devastating air tragedy, an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flight has crashed in Aktau, Kazakhstan, with about 42 people feared dead. The aircraft was traveling from Baku, Azerbaijan to Grozny, Russia. It reportedly experienced difficulties during its journey and made an emergency distress call shortly before it went down.
Reports said the ill-fated flight, designated as AZAL Flight 371 had 67 people onboard. That includes passengers and crew. It went down in the early hours of this morning near Aktau, a city located on Kazakhstan’s Caspian Sea coast.
According to local authorities, the plane made an emergency request for a landing before losing contact with air traffic control. A viral video showed the plane going down before crash-landing. Witnesses reported a loud sound, followed by a large explosion.
Kazakhstan authorities confirmed the crash. Emergency responders and local authorities quickly rushed to the scene. Ambulances rushed the survivors tot he nearby hospitals.
Casualties and investigation, while 42 people feared dead
Initial reports indicated that about 25 individuals survived the crash, according tot he Health Department Press Office. Their injuries range from serious to critical. They have been transported to local hospitals, where medical teams are working to provide treatment for burns and trauma.
The names of the victims have not yet been released. But authorities have confirmed that the passengers included both Azerbaijani and Russian nationals. The Ministry of Transport said there were 37 Azerbaijan, 16 Russians, 6 Kazarkhstan and 3 Kyrgyzstan citizens on board. The crew, believed to consist of Azerbaijan Airlines personnel, has also been confirmed as part of the casualties. Local media reports suggest that a number of high-ranking officials from both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are en route to the crash site. They are expected to oversee the investigation.
Sources said aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Kazakhstan’s aviation authorities is reportedly working in cooperation with Azerbaijan Airlines and international aviation experts.
Preliminary assessments suggest that the plane may have suffered a mechanical failure. There was also a suspicion of an issue related to the aircraft’s systems, leading to the emergency distress call. Chechen leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, has expressed his condolences over the incident on this telegram channel. He claims there are 25 survivors.
The aircraft involved, an Airbus A320, was reportedly operating normally before the emergency alert. Authorities will review black box data, as part of the investigation to determine the precise cause of the crash.
Reactions and Responses
The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims. He pledged to provide all necessary assistance to the survivors and the bereaved families. Kazakhstan’s President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, also offered his condolences. He sent a delegation of government officials to Aktau to assist in rescue efforts and support the investigation. Tokayev also ordered a thorough review of aviation safety protocols in the region. That is to ensure such a tragedy does not happen again.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) issued a statement confirming the crash. It expressed sorrow over the loss of life. The airline said in its statement, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident and our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of all those involved. Our primary concern right now is to assist the survivors and provide all necessary support to the rescue operations.” AZAL also stated that they are fully cooperating with Kazakhstan’s investigative authorities.
This crash is the latest in a series of high-profile air incidents that have drawn attention to aviation safety issues in the region. However, the Central Asian and Caucasus regions have seen significant improvements in aviation safety over the past decade. But there are still concerns regarding the maintenance and oversight of older aircraft, especially in countries with emerging aviation industries.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has been involved in monitoring safety standards. Its activities also cover the countries in the former Soviet Union, including Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. However, incidents such as the Aktau crash suggest the authorities have to do more.
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