Aktau, Kazakhstan (December 25, 2024): A passenger plane en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, crashed near Kazakhstan’s Aktau airport on Wednesday, leaving 42 people feared dead.
The Embraer 190 aircraft, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines and identified as flight J2-8243, reportedly requested an emergency landing before crashing approximately 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from the airport.
Kazakhstan's Emergency Ministry confirmed the tragic incident, stating that 42 of the 67 individuals on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members, are likely dead. However, there is some hope, as 25 survivors have been reported.
Christmas Horror: Azerbaijan Airlines plane coming from Baku crashes near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan. Developing. #Kazakhstan #Baku #airplane #disaster #crash pic.twitter.com/BXYKy6lI0c
— Now Stream - News, Politics, Tech (@NowStreamHQ) December 25, 2024
The cause of the emergency landing request and subsequent crash remains unclear, but investigations are underway. Azerbaijan Airlines expressed its condolences and pledged full cooperation with authorities to determine the cause of the accident.
This is a developing story, and more updates are expected as rescue operations continue.