Dozens feared dead as Azerbaijan Airlines flight crashes in Kazakhstan

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An Azerbaijan Airlines flight carrying 62 passengers and five crew has crashed during an emergency landing at an airport in Kazakhstan, with 29 survivors, including two children, taken to hospital.

Videos from local media showed a large explosion after the plane crashed into an empty field. Images from the scene showed passengers climbing from the tail of the fuselage with the help of emergency personnel.

The people on board were residents of Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, Russia’s state-run Ria news agency reported, citing Kazakhstan’s transport ministry.

Local media outlets reported that nine of those taken to hospital are in critical condition and a search and rescue operation is underway.

The Embraer 190 was en route from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Grozny in the southern Russian republic of Chechnya, but was diverted to Aktau after flying through thick fog.

Initial media reports stated that the flight had struck a flock of birds, which affected the aircraft’s control.

“After the collision with the bird, due to the emergency situation on the plane, its commander decided to go to an alternative airfield and Aktau was chosen,” RIA reported, citing the Russian aviation agency Rosavietsia. Local media also shared unconfirmed reports of an oxygen canister exploding on board, causing many passengers to lose consciousness.

Azerbaijan’s APA news agency reported that Baku sent a government delegation to Kazakhstan to investigate the incident. The country’s President Ilham Aliyev has returned to Baku after an informal summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States in Russia. He expressed his condolences to the bereaved families.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also offered his condolences to the Azerbaijani leader, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov expressed his condolences to the families of the victims on social media. “We pray to the Almighty [the survivors’] recovery.”

Photos on social media showed relatives gathering at Grozny airport to hear news of their loved ones.

A man at Grozny airport said he had just received a video showing his nephew survived the crash. He told Riya correspondent, “Of course I am very happy.