Azerbaijani Passenger Plane Crashes in Kazakhstan, 25 Survivors Confirmed

A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, leaving 25 survivors, according to the Kazakh Emergencies Ministry. The Embraer 190 aircraft, en route from Baku to Grozny, was carrying 67 people, including 5 crew members. Initial reports indicate that 22 of the survivors have been hospitalized, with authorities continuing to verify the details of the injured.

The crash occurred as the plane attempted to land at Aktau airport on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea. Russian aviation officials from Rosaviatsia revealed that the incident likely resulted from a bird strike, which triggered an emergency. The plane’s captain made the decision to divert to Aktau as an alternative airfield. Search and rescue operations are currently underway, involving 150 firefighters and 45 units of equipment.

Passenger lists include 37 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian nationals, 6 Kazakh citizens, and 3 Kyrgyz citizens. The causes of the crash are still under investigation, with authorities from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia working together to gather more information.