Thursday has been designated as a national day of mourning in Azerbaijan as authorities investigate the heartbreaking plane crash that occurred on Christmas Day in Kazakhstan. This tragic incident involved an aircraft carrying 67 people, resulting in 38 deaths and leaving at least 29 survivors.
CNN has released footage capturing the moment the plane crash-landed, igniting flames and thick black smoke.
Here’s an overview of this devastating event and what is currently known regarding its possible causes.
The Victims
According to the New York Times, the flight operated by Azerbaijan Airlines featured 37 Azerbaijani nationals, 16 Russians, six Kazakhs, and three Kyrgyz citizens. The flight was on its way from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, when it tragically crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Aktau airport in Kazakhstan.
Among the survivors were two young children.
Images from the wreckage released by the Russian state news agency Ria Novosti show passengers on the ground, some of whom appeared to have escaped the debris.
Additional videos taken by bystanders depict individuals assisting one another in escaping the wreckage.
The Cause of the Crash
The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation and has not yet been determined.
Initially, Russian aviation authorities suggested that a bird strike might have played a role in the accident. Additionally, there are indications that the aircraft encountered significant fog and altered its flight path due to worsening weather conditions. However, the extent to which these factors contributed to the crash remains uncertain, as reported by the AP.
“The information I have received suggests that the plane changed course between Baku and Grozny because of deteriorating weather, leading to a diversion to Aktau airport, where it ultimately crashed during landing,” stated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Reuters reported that investigators are considering the possibility that the aircraft may have been unintentionally shot down by Russian air defense systems, according to insights from four unnamed sources familiar with the initial investigation in Azerbaijan. Nearly three years into the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Russian air defense systems have been known to respond to Ukrainian drones targeting areas in southern Russia. While Russian officials have not confirmed this theory, President Vladimir Putin has sent emergency response teams to the crash site.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for President Putin, remarked on Thursday that “it would be premature to draw any conclusions before the investigation has concluded,” stressing the importance of not rushing to judgment.
In response to the tragedy, Azerbaijan has suspended all flights between Baku and Grozny until the definitive cause of the crash is established.
