50 Feared Dead in Azerbaijan Airlines Crash Near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan

Aktau, Kazakhstan:

Azerbaijan Airlines Crash: In a tragic aviation mishap, an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan Wednesday, killing 50 persons feared dead. The ministry has confirmed the incident and also reported that efforts are under way to douse fire at the crash site.

The doomed flight, a mutual collaboration between Azerbaijan and Russia, flew from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, when misfortune befell it. As Grozny was suffering heavy fog, the air craft was diverted to land at Aktau. In this detouring route, disaster awaited the aircraft, which it could not avoid and fell some distance before landing.

There were 67 people on board when the flight crashed, and included also five crew members. Currently, authorities confirmed 12 survivors who are undergoing treatment as a result of their wounds. The health ministry further said, “Information about casualties is currently being clarified but, according to preliminary information, there are survivors.

The unverified video footage of the crash, which has been going viral online, shows that the aircraft caught fire right after the impact and was soon engulfed in thick black smoke billowing into the sky. The scene of the crash has brought a massive response from emergency services who are trying to control the fire and recover survivors.

Azerbaijan Airlines Crash Video

JUST IN: Azerbaijan Airlines flight crashes in Aktau, Kazakhstan following emergency landing request. pic.twitter.com/EG9HGAwhYc

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According to reports from Russia’s Interfax news agency, the accident may have resulted from a bird strike that led the pilot to make an emergency landing. The actual cause of the incident, however, is still unknown.

There has been no official statement from Azerbaijan Airlines yet. Notably, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev was reportedly returning home from Russia at the time of the crash, though his travel was not connected with the ill-fated flight.

The Kazakh authorities, together with their Azerbaijani and Russian counterparts, should investigate this incident thoroughly to find out what caused the crash and bring the perpetrators to book. The aviation industry is closely following the events of this tragedy because it brings questions about the safety of the flight and the response protocols for emergencies.

This heartbreaking incident has left both nations in mourning, awaiting further updates from the families of the victims.