Tragedy struck near Aktau, Kazakhstan, as an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 jet crashed during an emergency landing on Wednesday, resulting in the loss of 38 lives. The plane was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, but was rerouted due to dense fog. Among the 62 passengers and five crew members aboard, 29 survivors were rescued by local authorities.
Bodycam footage released by Kazakh rescuers has revealed the devastating aftermath of the crash. The video, shared by Russian media outlet RT, shows emergency responders battling flames and sifting through debris, including personal belongings scattered across the site. These heart-wrenching scenes underscore the tragedy’s gravity and the heroism of first responders.
The Kazakh Transport Ministry reported that the flight carried 37 Azerbaijani nationals, six Kazakhs, three Kyrgyz, and 16 Russians. The Flight Radar website showed the aircraft deviating from its expected route, crossing the Caspian Sea before circling near Aktau, where it ultimately went down.
Additional footage captured by passengers has surfaced on social media, offering a glimpse of the terrifying moments leading up to the crash. One video shows a passenger praying amidst chaos, while another reveals the panic inside the aircraft.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident to determine its cause, while rescue teams and officials are providing support to survivors and families of the victims.
