Official investigation reports or statements from Azerbaijan or Russian authorities

Azerbaijan President Demands Justice for AZAL Plane Crash Near Aktau: 38 Dead, 29 Survived, Black Boxes Analyzed in Brazil

Jan 6, 2025, 10:15 AM

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has demanded justice and the punishment of those responsible for the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Embraer 190 passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan. The incident, which occurred on December 25, 2024, resulted in the deaths of 38 people, including Azerbaijani citizens, while 29 survived. Aliyev met with the families of the deceased crew members and surviving flight attendants, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in the investigation. He stated that the crash was due to the plane being hit by ground fire and criticized the lack of coordination between Russia's military and civil services, suggesting that the tragedy could have been prevented. The black boxes from the crashed plane are currently being analyzed in Brazil, with Aliyev expressing confidence that the process will reveal all unknown details about the crash.