A photo of the plane while making an emergency landing – Social media footage
CAIRO – 25 December 2024: A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines has crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, prompting a fire at the crash site, according to local reported.
The aircraft, which was traveling from Baku of Azerbaijan to Russia’s Grozny, had a total of 67 passengers and five crew members on board, according to Azerbaijan’s official APA news agency.
BREAKING: Passenger plane crashes near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan pic.twitter.com/M2DtYe6nZU
— BNO News (@BNONews) December 25, 2024
Preliminary reports indicate that six people have survived the incident. Kazakh Health Minister Aqmaral Alnazarova confirmed that 12 individuals, including a child, were evacuated from the site and taken to the hospital.
According to preliminary investigations, the plane crashed with birds and was diverted to Aktau for emergency, NBC NEWS reported, citing a statement issued on Telegram by Russia’s aviation authority.