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On Christmas Day, a horrifying plane crash in Kazakhstan left more than 40 people feared dead after an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 aircraft carrying 72 passengers and crew went down near Aktau.
The aircraft, which had departed from Baku and was rerouted to Aktau due to fog while en route to Grozny, crashed just three kilometres from the airport during an emergency landing. Witnesses described the scene as a fireball engulfing the plane, with wreckage scattered across several hundred yards.
According to reports, the plane carried 67 passengers and five crew members. Emergency teams responded immediately, battling thick black smoke and flames at the crash site. The Kazakh Ministry of Health initially reported 14 survivors, five of whom were in intensive care. Later, it was confirmed that 28 people survived, including two children aged 11 and 16, but at least 10 fatalities have been confirmed, and over 40 remain feared dead.
Survivors recounted a terrifying experience, with some losing consciousness after an explosion on board. Officials revealed that a bird strike may have caused engine failure, leading to the crash. An oxygen tank explosion further complicated the situation.
Dramatic footage showed the pilot’s efforts to regain control of the descending plane before it hit the ground. The crash site was littered with mangled debris and human remains. Bloodied passengers emerged from the wreckage, some able to walk while others sat dazed, awaiting medical assistance.
In response to the disaster, 23 ambulance teams were dispatched to the site, and residents of Aktau were urged to donate blood for the injured. Survivors are now receiving treatment at local hospitals, with seven reported to be in serious condition.
Azerbaijan Airlines expressed its condolences and confirmed the incident involved an emergency landing attempt. The crash has triggered a large-scale investigation by Kazakh authorities to determine the precise cause, including potential technical faults in the aircraft.
This devastating accident on what should have been a joyous day has left families grieving and highlighted the importance of aviation safety, as the world mourns this tragic loss.
