File photo of another Kazakhstan plane crash
By Solomon Kazim, with agency report
Sixty-seven persons, including five crew members, were aboard a passenger jet that crashed in Kazakhstan on Christmas morning.
The Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, which was flying from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to Grozny in the Russian region of Chechnya, made an emergency landing approximately 3 kilometres (1.8 miles) from Aktau, the carrier said.
The number of deaths was unknown at the time of this report, but the Kazakhstan health care minister, who confirmed the incident, said at least six persons survived the crash, while 25 others were hospitalised with varying degrees of injuries.
Among the survivors, five are said to be in grave danger.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations said its teams found the aircraft on fire upon arrival at the scene.
“Rescue units began extinguishing the fire. Currently, information about the victims is being clarified, and according to preliminary information, there are survivors,” the ministry said.
There were 62 passengers and 5 crew members on board, Kazakhstan’s transport ministry said in a preliminary report. It said 37 of the passengers were citizens of Azerbaijan, six of Kazakhstan, three of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 of Russia, according to preliminary data.
“Additional information regarding the incident will be provided to the public,” the airline said on its Facebook page.
