Azerbaijan has declared a national day of mourning following the tragic crash of an Embraer 190 passenger jet in western Kazakhstan on Christmas Day, claiming the lives of 38 people out of the 67 onboard.
Tragic Flight Path and Investigation
The flight, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was en route from Baku to Grozny in southern Russia but deviated far from its course, crossing the Caspian Sea and crashing near Aktau, Kazakhstan. The reasons behind the crash remain under investigation.
Speculation arose suggesting the aircraft might have been accidentally struck by Russian air defense systems in an area with reported Ukrainian drone activity. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov urged patience, stating, “We need to await the investigation’s conclusions.”
Aviation expert Yury Podolyaka suggested visible damage on the wreckage could point to anti-aircraft missile systems. Azerbaijan Airlines initially attributed the crash to a bird strike but later retracted the claim.
Casualties and Survivors
The crash left 38 dead, while 29 survivors, including three children, were hospitalized. Among the injured, 11 are in critical condition. Efforts are underway to transport 12 survivors back to Azerbaijan for further care.
A Nation in Mourning
President Ilham Aliyev canceled his visit to a CIS summit in Russia, declaring December 26 a national day of mourning. He extended condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized Azerbaijan’s commitment to uncovering the truth behind the disaster.
Eyewitness Accounts
Local residents near the crash site described harrowing scenes. A Kazakh woman, Elmira, recalled helping bloodied survivors, including teenagers. “Their eyes were filled with pain and despair,” she said, recounting a girl pleading to save her mother.
Global Solidarity
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to President Aliyev during a phone call. Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva also conveyed her heartfelt sympathy to the victims’ families, wishing strength to those affected and a speedy recovery to the injured.
Ongoing Investigations
The Flight Radar website indicated a significant deviation in the aircraft’s path before it crashed. Emergency workers in Kazakhstan extinguished a fire at the crash site, with over 150 personnel involved in rescue efforts.
The aviation world awaits the results of the investigation as Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan work together to uncover the truth behind this devastating tragedy.
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