International

Maia Sandu conveys condolences over the tragic plane crash in Kazakhstan

President Maia Sandu today sent a message of condolences to all the families and relatives of those who died in the tragic plane crash in Kazakhstan. The head of state wished strength to the survivors, as well as to the rescue teams working on the scene.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane, near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected. We wish strength to the survivors and the rescue teams on the ground," President Maia Sandu wrote on platform X.

A plane with 67 people on board, including five crew members, crashed in Kazakhstan. According to local authorities, 32 people survived the plane crash, including three children. However, the toll may change, as nine people were hospitalized in serious condition. The aircraft crashed upon landing. Authorities have launched an investigation and are considering several versions, including pilot error.

The plane was flying from Baku to Grozny, the capital of Chechnya. It was diverted due to dense fog in Grozny to the Aktau airport, a city in western Kazakhstan. The moment the aircraft crashed was captured by several eyewitnesses.

Before the crash, the aircraft made several circles over the airport, attempting an emergency landing, but it crashed three kilometres from the city of Aktau. A fire broke out on board the aircraft, which was soon extinguished. Rescuers managed to evacuate several dozen people, many of whom were hospitalized in serious condition.

“At 11:30, information was received about the crash of the plane three kilometres from the airport. In addition, higher-ranking emergency teams were sent to the scene. At 12:05 the fire was extinguished,” said Kairat Janaspaev, head of the department of the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations.

According to preliminary data, two pilots of the aircraft were among the deceased. Of the crew of the aircraft, two flight attendants and most of the passengers who were in the tail of the plane survived. The cause of the accident is currently unknown.

The Kazakh authorities started an investigation to determine the causes of the tragedy, noting that they have begun to analyze different versions. Preliminary, the plane may have collided with a flock of birds. Eyewitnesses also reported an explosion of an oxygen tank on board. Following the accident, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev cut short his visit to Russia, where he was supposed to attend a CIS summit.

Azerbaijani authorities declared December 26 a day of national mourning following the tragic plane crash, which claimed many lives. President Ilham Aliyev signed an order to this effect.

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