An Azerbaijani airliner crashed in Kazakhstan, killing 38 of the 67 passengers. The Embraer 190, diverted during its flight from Baku to Grozny, attempted to land in Aktau. Investigations by Kazakh, Azerbaijani, and Russian authorities are ongoing, focusing on the possible causes, including a bird strike or military action. The incident has led to a nationwide day of mourning in Azerbaijan.
An Azerbaijani airliner, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, tragically crashed in Kazakhstan, resulting in the deaths of 38 of the 67 individuals aboard. The Embraer 190 aircraft was originally scheduled to fly from Baku to Grozny when it was diverted for reasons that have yet to be clarified.
The plane attempted to land in Aktau, Kazakhstan, approximately 2 miles from the coast, after flying over the Caspian Sea. Eyewitness footage captured on cellphones depicted the aircraft in a steep descent prior to crashing and igniting a fireball upon impact.
In response to the crash, Azerbaijan declared a nationwide day of mourning. On this day, national flags were lowered, traffic came to a halt at noon, and ships and trains signaled their sorrow. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev indicated that weather conditions were a significant factor in the plane’s diversion from its intended path.
Investigations into the incident are being conducted by authorities from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia, and Embraer has expressed willingness to assist in these inquiries. Preliminary data presented by Rosaviatsia, Russia’s civil aviation authority, suggested a bird strike prompted the diversion to Aktau.
Further speculation has emerged regarding the crash’s cause, with some commentators suggesting that damage found on the aircraft’s tail could indicate it was hit by fire from Russian air defense systems, potentially due to a drone threat. Osprey Flight Solutions has gone so far as to warn its clientele that the flight may have been shot down. CEO Andrew Nicholson stated that over 200 alerts regarding drone activities and air defenses in Russia have been issued since the commencement of the war.
When questioned about allegations of a missile strike, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cautioned against making unsubstantiated claims prior to the completion of official investigations. Both Kazakh and Azerbaijani officials have similarly refrained from speculating about possible causes, deferring the matter to the investigators’ findings.
The crash of the Azerbaijani airliner in Kazakhstan has resulted in significant loss of life, prompting national mourning in Azerbaijan. While investigations are ongoing, preliminary information hints at a possible bird strike or speculations regarding military actions amid a complex geopolitical backdrop. Authorities urge caution regarding unfounded claims as they await the results from official inquiries.
Original Source: spectrumlocalnews.com
