Moscow [Russia]: Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his apologies to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev following the tragic crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8432, which resulted in 38 fatalities near Aktau, Kazakhstan, according to Euro News.
The crash, which occurred on Wednesday, involved an Embraer 190 aircraft en route from Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, to Grozny, the capital of Russia’s Chechnya region. The plane carried 62 passengers and five crew members. Thirty-eight people lost their lives, while 32 survived, according to the Azerbaijan Prosecutor General’s Office, as reported by Al Jazeera.
During a phone call with President Aliyev, Putin expressed his “deep and sincere condolences” to the victims’ families. Kremlin sources noted that Putin also explained the circumstances surrounding the crash, stating that Grozny, Mozdok, and Vladikavkaz were under attack by Ukrainian combat drones at the time, which required Russian air defense systems to respond.
The Embraer 190 attempted multiple landings in Grozny but was forced to divert due to heavy fog and reportedly requested to land at an alternative airport before the crash. Preliminary investigations suggest that a bird strike may have contributed to the emergency landing attempt near Aktau.
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev confirmed the rising death toll, adding, “The situation is not very good, 38 dead,” as reported by Russia’s Interfax news agency.
Azerbaijan Airlines announced the suspension of all flights from Baku to Russia’s Chechnya region pending the investigation’s outcome. The airline expressed its commitment to transparency, stating, “All possible scenarios are being examined, and the necessary expert analyses are underway.”
The passengers included citizens of Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Efforts are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash as investigators and aviation experts collaborate to analyze the evidence.
Aktau, located on the Caspian Sea’s eastern shore, served as the site of the emergency landing attempt due to its proximity to the flight path. The accident underscores the importance of rigorous safety protocols in challenging conditions.
The international aviation community has expressed condolences to the victims’ families, and the incident highlights the critical need for enhanced aviation safety measures, especially in adverse weather conditions.