Official announcements from Azerbaijan's aviation authorities or government

Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 Crashes Near Aktau; 38 Dead, 29 Survive

Dec 26, 2024, 12:05 AM

On December 25, 2024, Christmas Day, an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 aircraft carrying 67 people, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members, crashed near the city of Aktau in western Kazakhstan while attempting an emergency landing during its flight from Baku, Azerbaijan to Grozny, Russia. The passengers included 37 Azerbaijanis, 16 Russians, 6 Kazakhs, and 3 Kyrgyz citizens. Initial reports from Kazakhstan's emergency ministry indicated that 42 people were likely dead, but the death toll was later confirmed to be 38, with 29 survivors receiving hospital treatment. Footage captured by a passenger onboard showed the chaotic moments before and after the crash, with passengers wearing oxygen masks. An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway, with preliminary reports suggesting a possible bird strike. Azerbaijan declared a national day of mourning following the tragedy.