Baku, Azerbaijan — Azerbaijan observed a national day of mourning on Thursday following a tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of 38 people and left 29 survivors injured. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, as authorities and experts speculate on what may have led to the devastating accident.
The Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 was traveling from Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, to Grozny in Russia’s North Caucasus region on Wednesday. For reasons not yet determined, the aircraft was diverted from its route and attempted to land in Aktau, Kazakhstan, after crossing the Caspian Sea.
The plane crashed approximately 3 kilometers (2 miles) from Aktau, erupting into flames upon impact. Videos shared on social media showed the aircraft in a steep descent before colliding with the ground in a fiery explosion. Additional footage revealed the plane’s fuselage separated from its wings, with the wreckage lying upside down in a grassy field.
On Thursday, Azerbaijan came to a standstill to honor the victims. National flags were lowered, traffic paused at noon, and ships and trains across the country sounded their signals during a solemn moment of silence.
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President Ilham Aliyev addressed the nation on Wednesday, expressing his condolences and urging patience as investigations continue. “It is too early to draw conclusions about the cause of the crash,” Aliyev said during a press conference. He noted that weather conditions likely played a role in the plane’s deviation from its planned route.
Authorities are working with aviation experts to uncover the factors leading to this tragedy.
