An Azerbaijan Airlines flight crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday. The plane carried 67 people. Authorities confirmed 38 deaths.
Rescuers saved 29 passengers, including two children. Eleven survivors remain in critical condition.
The flight, J2-8243, was traveling from Baku to Grozny. It made an emergency landing 3 kilometers from Aktau. The plane caught fire on impact. Rescuers extinguished the flames and rushed survivors to hospitals. Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev said no survivors were Kazakh nationals.
Authorities recovered the plane’s black box. They have launched an investigation. Initial reports suggest a bird strike may have caused the emergency. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have formed a joint commission to investigate.
Footage also showed survivors emerging from the wreckage. Elmira, a witness, described the rescue. “A little girl begged us to save her mother,” she said.
The plane had 62 passengers and five crew members. The passengers included citizens of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. Azerbaijan Airlines stated the pilot had over 15,000 flight hours. The plane’s last inspection occurred in October.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed condolences. He sent medical aid to Kazakhstan. Azerbaijan Airlines suspended flights from Baku to Grozny.
Officials are still examining the cause of the crash. Updates will follow as investigations progress
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