26 December 2024

Dozens have died after a passenger plane with 67 people on board crashed in Kazakhstan, local officials said.

The country's Ministry of Emergencies said there were 25 survivors.

The Azerbaijan Airlines plane caught fire as it crashed near the city of Aktau. The cause of the accident is unknown.

Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 was on its way from the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, to Grozny, Russia. Reports say it was diverted due to fog.

A video clip verified by Reuters shows the plane heading towards the ground at high speed, with its landing gear disabled.

Seconds after trying to land, a huge fireball exploded.

The Ministry of Transport stated that the Embraer 190 plane was carrying 62 passengers and five crew members.

Most of those on board were Azerbaijani citizens, but there were also some passengers from Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Authorities said Aktau Airport was open and operating normally.

The BBC has contacted Azerbaijan Airlines and Embraer for comment.

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