Many Feared Dead As Plane Carrying 67 People Crashes on Christmas Day
A passenger plane carrying 67 people crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day, leaving many feared dead. The aircraft, en route from Azerbaijan to southern Russia, was engulfed in flames upon the arrival of emergency responders.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed the incident, stating that rescue teams began extinguishing the fire and were working to determine the number of casualties. “Currently, information about the victims is being clarified, and according to preliminary information, there are survivors,” the ministry said.
The Embraer 190 aircraft, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines as flight J2-8243, was traveling from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny in the Russian region of Chechnya. The plane reportedly made an emergency landing approximately 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from Aktau before the crash.
Onboard were 62 passengers and five crew members. Azerbaijan Airlines acknowledged the incident and promised to provide additional details as investigations progress.
This tragic event has cast a shadow over Christmas Day celebrations, with authorities working to uncover the cause of the crash and ensure the safety of any survivors.
