There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members.
Preliminary reports indicate that the crash was caused by a collision with a flock of birds. Due to heavy fog at Grozny airport, the plane was initially redirected to Makhachkala and then to Aktau. At the time of the emergency landing, the crew did not receive clearance to land in Grozny.
The passengers included citizens of several countries: 37 from Azerbaijan, 16 from Russia, 6 from Kazakhstan, and 3 from Kyrgyzstan.
According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Health, 25 injured individuals have been taken to hospitals, 12 of whom sustained serious injuries. Six people are reported to be in critical condition. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) has established an operational headquarters and opened hotlines for the relatives of those affected. Information about the passengers’ condition can be obtained at the following numbers: +7-7172-55-96-21 (national center) and +7-7292-31-90-91 (Aktau).
AZAL’s press office confirmed that there were no children on board the crashed aircraft. The airline expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured that all necessary support would be provided.
Emergency services, medical teams, and air ambulances are actively working at the scene. An investigation into the causes of the crash is ongoing.
