Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
Dozen of people were suspected dead as a passenger plane en route from Baku to Grozny crashed near Aktau airport in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, killing 42 people.
The Azerbaijan Airlines flight, carrying 67 passengers and crew, burst into flames after reportedly attempting an emergency landing.
Kazakhstan’s emergency ministry confirmed that 25 people survived the crash, while the fire at the site was extinguished by emergency personnel. Officials said the Embraer 190 aircraft had requested an emergency landing 3 km from the airport, citing heavy fog in Grozny as a factor.
Preliminary investigations suggest a possible bird strike or technical issue as the cause of the crash. Authorities have launched a detailed probe into the incident.