An Azerbaijani airline plane carrying 67 passengers crashed in Kazakhstan on Wednesday December 25. 38 people died in the crash. According to Baku, the plane was shot down by a Russian missile.
Following the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8432 which took place this Wednesday, December 25, the investigation by Azerbaijani authoritiesestablished thata Russian surface-to-air missile is said to have been fired at the plane.
Crash during emergency landing attempt
Azerbaijan Airlines’ Embraer 190 was flying from Baku, the country’s capital, to Grozny, the regional capital of the Russian republic of Chechnya, on Wednesday (December 25).
According to some sources, despite the pilot’s requests for an emergency landing, the plane was not allowed to land at Russian airports, forcing it to deviate from its trajectory towards the Kazakh city located in other side of the Caspian Sea.
Carrying 67 passengers, the plane crashed while attempting to make an emergency landing in the city of Aktau, in southwest Kazakhstan. 38 people died in the crash and 29 others were injured.
Three explosions heard by passengers
The official investigation into the accident has not yet concluded. However, survivors told authorities that they heard three explosions that appeared to come from outside as the plane flew over Grozny.
“During our visit to the survivors, including those of Russian nationality, all, without exception, reported hearing three explosions when the plane was flying over the city of Grozny”said Azerbaijani Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rachad Nabiyev.“They indicated that these noises were coming from outside, which suggests that there was an external impact on the plane”he clarified, adding: “One of the flight attendants was even injured in the arm. Social media and video footage released by media outlets also shows that a woman was injured in the arm and leg.”.
“In other images, holes are visible on the wing of the plane, as well as various signs of damage inside the plane, particularly in its interior parts, caused by what appears to be an impact sharp external objects”Rachad Nabiyev further explained. “Our team of investigators, together with the aviation specialists invited to this case, will now examine what type of weapon – or rather what type of rocket – was used.“
Separately, the presidential administration of Azerbaijan has stated that the families of the crash victims do not need any help from the Chechen authorities. According to a source in the head of state’s administration cited by online media Day.Az, “Azerbaijan does not need any help. Neither the state nor the citizens will accept such aid. We are providing and will continue to provide the necessary assistance to our citizens. Azerbaijan demands recognition of facts, apology and payment of appropriate compensation “.
Russian airspace avoided by airlines
On Friday, Azerbaijan Airlines announced it was suspending flights from Baku to seven Russian airports, including Grozny, until the final results of the crash investigation are published.
Separately, Kazakh airline Qazaq Air said it was suspending flights from Astana to Yekaterinburg, citing an ongoing risk assessment for flights to Russia.
Israeli carrier El Al said flights between Tel Aviv and Moscow would be canceled this week due to “the development of the situation in Russian airspace”.
Moscow has been tight-lipped about suspicions expressed by reports and aviation experts that the plane may have been hit by a Russian air defense missile.
Russia’s aviation chief said on Friday that a Ukrainian drone attack was underway in the Chechnya region as an Azerbaijani airliner attempted to land before diverting to Kazakhstan and crush there at the start of the week.