A significant aviation accident shook Kazakhstan on Wednesday as an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane crashed during landing. The Embraer E190AR plane, traveling from Baku to Chechnya, Russia, had 67 people onboard, out of which 42 lost their lives. Fortunately, 25 individuals emerged as survivors from this tragic event.
Local authorities and footage from the scene reveal that the rapid intervention of rescuers saved many lives in the horrific crash near Aktau city, along the Caspian Sea coast in Kazakhstan.
Local media released footage depicting survivors at the crash site. A woman, seemingly in shock, without significant injuries, was seen being helped out of the plane's tail section, crying out in agony. Another clip showed a limping man without visible injuries. Sadly, other blurred videos revealed deceased passengers at the crash scene.
Source: aajtak
Was the crash caused by a bird strike?
Shortly after the crash, individuals emerged from the split wreckage, visibly shaken. Emergency response teams acted swiftly, extinguishing the fire that engulfed the aircraft. The injured were promptly transported to hospitals via ambulances.
Preliminary investigations by local officials point towards a bird strike as the possible cause of the crash. Reports suggest a bird collided with one of the plane's engines, leading to an explosion of an oxygen cylinder, causing several passengers to lose consciousness even before the crash occurred.
Source: aajtak
Numerous videos emerge of the plane crash
Various video footage captured the dramatic moments of the crash. One video showed the aircraft swaying in the air, rapidly losing altitude before crashing and bursting into flames.
Another video showed rescuers extinguishing the fire post-crash. Passengers were seen escaping the burning wreckage, while rescuers aided others trapped inside, visibly terrified and some severely injured.
A third video depicted the aircraft's ill-fated attempt to climb altitude, only to descend uncontrollably and eventually crash, resulting in a fiery explosion. Reports also suggested that the plane faced GPS jamming issues before the tragic incident.
