Azerbaijan declares day of mourning after plane crash in Kazakhstan

Azerbaijan observed a national day of mourning Thursday following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day.

The disaster claimed 38 lives out of the 67 people onboard the Embraer 190 aircraft.

The jet, en route from Baku to Grozny in Russia, veered off course, crossing the Caspian Sea before crashing near Aktau, a major oil hub in western Kazakhstan. Among the 67 onboard were 62 passengers and five crew members. Kazakh authorities reported 29 survivors, including three children, who have been hospitalized.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev canceled a planned visit to Russia for a Commonwealth of Independent States summit and declared Thursday a day of mourning. “I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Aliyev stated.

The aircraft’s black box has been recovered, and investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash. Azerbaijan Airlines initially suggested a bird strike but later retracted the claim. Both Azerbaijani and Kazakh authorities have launched comprehensive inquiries into the incident.

Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes at the crash site. Local resident Elmira recounted saving teenagers and hearing survivors’ desperate cries for help. Emergency services extinguished the post-crash fire, with over 150 responders deployed to the site.

The victims included 37 Azerbaijanis, six Kazakhs, three Kyrgyz, and 16 Russians. International leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, extended their condolences.

Specialist medical teams from Kazakhstan and Russia are treating the injured.

Azerbaijan’s first lady, Mehriban Aliyeva, also expressed sorrow, offering prayers for the victims and their families.