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MOSCOW — A tragic plane crash in Kazakhstan’s city of Aktau has left many feared dead. Kazakhstan’s Emergency Ministry reported that an Azerbaijani Embraer 190 aircraft, carrying 67 people, including five crew members, made an emergency landing 3 km from the city on Wednesday.
At least 28 people have been confirmed as survivors and are receiving treatment at local hospitals, while four bodies have been recovered. The number of fatalities is estimated to exceed 30. The death toll was revised as search and rescue operations progressed at the crash site.
The plane, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was traveling from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia. The crash occurred after the pilot diverted to Aktau, citing an emergency caused by a bird strike.
Footage circulating online shows the aircraft descending steeply before hitting the ground in a fiery explosion. The wreckage includes a fuselage torn from the wings, with parts of the plane lying upside down in a grassy area. Flight-tracking data from FlightRadar24.com indicates erratic altitude changes before the crash.
Additionally, FlightRadar24 reported the aircraft experienced “strong GPS jamming,” which may have interfered with its navigation. Russia has previously been accused of GPS signal disruptions in the region.
The airline and Embraer have yet to provide detailed comments. Azerbaijan Airlines has pledged to keep the public informed as investigations continue and has replaced its social media banners with black in mourning.
The crash marks a somber moment for aviation safety in the region as authorities work to uncover the cause of the disaster.
