A tragic aviation accident occurred today, 25 December, when an Embraer E190AR, registered as 4K-AZ65 and operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan. The aircraft, carrying 62 passengers and five crew members, was en route from Baku to Grozny when it encountered difficulties. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that a fire broke out at the crash site, but recent information suggests 29 survivors. Emergency services have been deployed to the scene to assist with rescue efforts.
Flight J2-8243, originally scheduled to land in Grozny, was rerouted to Makhachkala before being diverted to Aktau. According to reports, the crew requested an emergency landing after circling over Aktau Airport. The exact cause of the crash remains unclear, but aviation authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Azerbaijani investigators and Kazakh authorities are probing the incident, with possible causes still under review. Conflicting early reports included bird strikes and an onboard “balloon explosion,” though these claims remain unverified.
Emergency services responded swiftly, battling a fire at the crash site where the aircraft’s front was destroyed. Among the passengers were citizens of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. Azerbaijan declared a national day of mourning, and President Ilham Aliyev cut short a visit to Russia, pledging a thorough investigation.
The tragedy marks a dark day for the airline and the region, with condolences pouring in for the victims and their families.
Reports are coming in of an accident at Aktau Airport, Kazakhstan involving an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer ERJ-190. pic.twitter.com/X42mS3sSsO
— Aviation Safety Network (ASN) (@AviationSafety) December 25, 2024
???? BREAKING: A passenger plane flying from Baku to Grozny has crashed in Kazakhstan, with 72 people on board
The aircraft, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, went down near the Kazakh city of Aktau, according to local news agency Tengrinews.
The plane carried 67 passengers and… pic.twitter.com/DJPlq7Vaxm
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 25, 2024
Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer ERJ-190AR (4K-AZ65) passenger plane traveling from Baku to Grozny crashes near Aktau, Kazakhstan earlier today. There were 72 occupants including five crew members.
Six survivors are in critical condition. Pending any official confirmation,… pic.twitter.com/cjRzOrPzQ8
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) December 25, 2024
