A tragic plane crash has occurred in western Kazakhstan, resulting in the loss of 38 lives on Christmas day.
The Embraer 190 aircraft, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was flying from Baku to Grozny in southern Russia but diverted off course and crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash, with some experts speculating that the plane may have been accidentally shot down by Russian air defense systems due to Ukrainian drone activity in the area.
Howeve, Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliyev declared a national day of mourning and cancelling a planned visit to Russia.
The Kazakh emergency situations ministry reported that 29 survivors, including three children, have been hospitalized, with 11 of the injured in intensive care.
Eyewitnesses described the harrowing scene, with one Kazakh woman, Elmira, recounting how she rushed to the site to help survivors.
“They were covered in blood. They were crying. They were calling for help,” she said.
Russian President, Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to President Aliyev, and a Russian emergency situations ministry has been sent to Aktau with medical personnel and equipment.
