Death toll climbs 38 with 29 survivors after Azerbaijan airlines crashed in Kazakhstan
PTC News Desk: At least 38 people died while 29 survived after an Azerbaijan airlines crashed in Kazakhstan during emergency landing. The airliner, Embraer 190, took off from Baku in Azerbaijan and was headed to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus.
Kazakhstan Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbaev confirmed the death toll during a meeting with Azerbaijani delegation. The plane crashed while it was nosedived and attempted emergency landing.
“The information provided to me is that the plane changed its course between Baku and Grozny due to worsening weather conditions and headed to Aktau airport, where it crashed upon landing,” said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
The cause of the crash has not been ascertained yet, however preliminary investigation suggests that a bird hit probably led to an emergency ultimately resulting in crash.
Several videos of the crash have surfaced online appeared to show the airliner nosediving before smashing into the ground, following which the plane burst into flames.
While Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev did say that the plane changed course due to poor weather, he maintained that the cause of the crash needs to be fully investigated.
“This is a great tragedy that has become a tremendous sorrow for the Azerbaijani people,” he said.
- With inputs from agencies
