Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crashes in Kazakhstan, Resulting in 38 Fatalities

On December 25, 2024, an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190, operating flight J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, resulting in 38 fatalities. The flight was diverted to Aktau due to foggy conditions in Grozny. The aircraft, carrying 62 passengers and five crew members, reportedly encountered an emergency before attempting an emergency landing. Eyewitnesses captured footage of the plane descending rapidly before catching fire upon impact. Among the occupants, 29 survived, including two children, and are currently receiving medical treatment. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, with initial reports suggesting a possible bird strike; however, experts are skeptical of this explanation. The aircraft’s black box has been recovered, and authorities from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are collaborating to determine the cause of this tragic incident.