Azerbaijan Airlines has reported that external interference was the cause of a recent plane crash in Kazakhstan. The airline’s preliminary investigation revealed that “physical and technical external interference” led to the tragic incident.
The crash occurred on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, when an Azerbaijan Airlines flight, en route from Baku to Grozny, diverted to Aktau, Kazakhstan. The Embraer 190 aircraft was carrying 67 passengers and crew members. While 29 survived the crash, 38 people lost their lives.
According to Azerbaijan Airlines, the aircraft experienced interference from external sources, which included both physical and technical disruptions. Reports suggest that a Russian surface-to-air missile may have exploded near the aircraft during its flight. This interference is believed to have paralyzed the aircraft’s communications and contributed to the crash.
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the region, with Russian air defense systems actively responding to Ukrainian drone attacks near Grozny. The head of Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency described the situation in Grozny as “very complicated” at the time of the incident.
Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights from Baku to several Russian airports, including Grozny and Makhachkala, pending the completion of the investigation.
The crash of Azerbaijan Airlines’ flight has raised serious concerns about the safety of air travel in regions experiencing military conflicts. The airline’s report of external interference highlights the need for stringent measures to ensure the safety of civilian aircraft.
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