Astana: A passenger plane traveling to Russia crashed near Kazakhstan’s Aktau area on Wednesday, according to the country’s Emergencies Ministry.
The Azerbaijan Airlines flight, carrying 70 people, was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, in the Chechnya region. However, the plane was rerouted because of heavy fog in Grozny, reports say.
What officials said
Kazakh media reports indicate that the plane circled over the airport several times before the crash took place. The Emergency Ministry of Kazakhstan said that 52 rescuers, along with 11 pieces of equipment, quickly arrived at the site in Aktau.
Upon reaching the location, they found the aircraft on fire and began efforts to extinguish the blaze. While the full details of the crash are still being confirmed, initial reports suggest that there are some survivors, although many others are feared dead.
Rescue operation underway
A national operations centre has been set up at the headquarters of Kazakhstan’s Emergency Ministry to oversee and coordinate the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts. The exact cause of the crash is yet to be ascertained.
Further details about the passengers and crew members on board, as well as the exact number of survivors, are awaited.
This story is being updated…
