A devastating plane crash in Kazakhstan has claimed the lives of 38 people, including both pilots, while half the passengers – 29 – miraculously survived.
The Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 jet, carrying 67 people, was flying from Baku to Grozny when it made an emergency landing near Aktau, Kazakhstan, due to adverse weather conditions.
The Associated Press posted a video of the crash that showed passengers exiting the rear of the plane, an area generally considered safe in a crash.
According to a 2015 analysis of US federal data from 1985 to 2000 by Time magazine, the fatality rate in seats at the back of the plane was 32%, compared to 39% in the middle and 38% in the front seats. The rear middle seats had the lowest fatality rate, at 28%.
The airline’s president, Samir Rzayev, praised the pilots’ “heroism” and dedication to saving lives, saying, “Although this tragic accident caused a significant loss to our country, the crew remained committed to their duties until the last moment.” Dedication and his priorities to human life have immortalized his name in history, reports the Azerbaijani News Agency.
The pilots had collectively logged more than 15,000 flight hours, and the aircraft had recently passed a technical inspection.
The investigation is ongoing, but initial reports suggest the aircraft may have been damaged by a Russian anti-missile system. Some experts point to evidence of shrapnel damage to the plane’s elevator and rudder controls. However, Russian officials have denied involvement and the cause of the accident remains unknown.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned against speculating about the cause of the crash before the results of the investigation were known.
The crash has raised concerns about air safety in the region, especially given recent military activity in the area. Ukrainian drones have targeted Grozny in recent weeks, and there were reports of Ukrainian drone strikes in the North Caucasus Federal District on the day of the crash.
As the investigation continues, the airline and officials are working to determine the cause of the crash. The black box of the aircraft has been recovered and is being analyzed in accordance with international aviation standards.
