The Russian government has issued a warning against speculating on the causes behind the tragic crash of a passenger plane bound for Russia, which resulted in the deaths of 38 individuals in Kazakhstan on Wednesday.
Initial footage of the wreckage suggests possible shrapnel damage, leading some aviation experts to propose that the Azerbaijani Airlines aircraft may have been struck by air defense systems while over the Russian republic of Chechnya.
The incident unfolded as the plane, which took off from Baku, was diverted across the Caspian Sea to avoid dense fog conditions before ultimately crashing near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Of the 67 passengers onboard, 29 survived. Azerbaijan has declared a national day of mourning to honor the victims of this devastating event.
“This is a great tragedy that has caused immense sorrow for the Azerbaijani people,” remarked the President of Azerbaijan. In Moscow, a Kremlin spokesperson emphasized that it is premature to conjecture about the causes of the crash until a thorough investigation is conducted.
The Embraer 190 aircraft was scheduled to land in Grozny, Chechnya, but the fog forced a diversion to Aktau airport, located approximately 450 kilometers (280 miles) eastward. A survivor recounted a harrowing account of the landing attempts, indicating that the pilot attempted to land twice before disaster struck, with an explosion occurring during the final approach.
Eyewitness footage captured the moment the aircraft plummeted towards the ground at high speed, igniting upon impact. Following the crash, Kazakh authorities recovered the flight data recorder, initiating an investigation to determine the cause. Initial reports suggested that a bird strike may have contributed to the incident; however, experts argue that such a collision typically affects a plane’s glide path rather than causing a drastic off-course deviation.
Analysts are now pointing to the possibility that Russian air defenses could have played a role in the crash. Evidence from damage patterns indicates a potential missile detonation near the aircraft’s rear. In the locality, drone strikes were reported, raising further questions about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Kazakhstan’s senate leader has reaffirmed the commitment of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Kazakhstan to transparency as the investigation progresses, assuring that all pertinent information will be made public. The flight predominantly carried Azerbaijani nationals, along with several passengers from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Survivors have been spotted emerging from the wreckage, some in need of urgent medical care, with eleven individuals currently in intensive care.
Embraer, the Brazilian manufacturer of the aircraft, is known for its strong safety record within the competitive aviation industry.
