Following the December 26 crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 passenger jet off the coast of Kazakhstan’s Caspian Sea, which claimed the lives of at least 38 people, Azerbaijan is observing a day of mourning. Heavy fog caused the plane to be rerouted from its intended course between Baku and Grozny, which led to the incident near Aktau, Kazakhstan.
62 passengers and five crew members from four nations Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan were on board the Embraer 190, aircraft J2-8243. Two children are among the thirty-two survivors, many of whom are in severe condition. Passengers were pulled from the debris by emergency personnel, while some survivors made their own escape.
Preliminary investigations suggest the crash followed an emergency situation triggered by a bird strike. The flight was rerouted to Aktau due to weather complications at its destination, Grozny, and a closed nearby Russian airport in Makhachkala. GPS jamming in the region may have compounded navigational challenges.
Flight tracking data showed the aircraft circling Aktau before crashing during the attempted landing. Both pilots reportedly died in the accident.
Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia have launched comprehensive investigations. Authorities recovered the plane’s black box, which will provide critical data. Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General’s Office and emergency teams are working on-site, supported by medical and technical personnel.
Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights to Grozny and Makhachkala pending the inquiry. The airline has provided support to victims’ families, while Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev declared a national day of mourning and assured public updates on the investigation.
Embraer, the aircraft’s manufacturer, has offered to assist in uncovering the cause of the disaster. Investigations are focusing on technical issues, airspace closures, and external factors such as GPS.
