Initial Reports on the AZAL Aircraft Accident Close to Aktau Will Be Revealed in the Coming Week
The investigation into the tragic AZAL plane crash that occurred near Aktau on December 25, 2024, is currently underway. Kazakh authorities are actively conducting a pre-trial investigation, keeping details confidential until the process is complete [1].
The crash involved Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243, an Embraer 190AR, which claimed the lives of 38 people and left 29 injured during an emergency landing attempt [1].
In a government briefing, Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev announced that families of the victims will receive five million tenge (US$9,615) each as social assistance, and further financial support through sponsorship funds is planned for next week [1]. However, no specific details about the sponsorship funds or the source of the financial support for the families have been provided.
Burial expenses, travel to the crash site, and other related costs have been covered by the akimats (cities' and regions' administrations) [1].
The investigation is being conducted according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and involves approximately 17-18 experts from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia, and ICAO representatives [1]. Our security forces are working closely on the investigation.
Internationally, tensions remain high as Azerbaijan strongly accuses Russia of shooting down the aircraft with a ground-based missile, specifically alleging the involvement of the Russian Pantsir-S1 missile system [2][3]. Azerbaijani leadership is dissatisfied with Russia's lack of transparency and response to requests for investigation cooperation and has announced preparations to file lawsuits against Russia in international courts [2][5]. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has demanded that Russia admit fault, punish those responsible, and compensate victims and AZAL [5].
Evidence including missile booster remnants near the crash site supports Azerbaijan’s claim [3]. However, the case remains unresolved with no public release of finalized investigation results or official international expert panel conclusions [1][4].
The map of the area is designed by The Astana Times. Further details about the progress of the investigation and the financial support to families remain undisclosed at this time. A ballistic and explosive-technical examination is underway.
[1] [News Source 1] [2] [News Source 2] [3] [News Source 3] [4] [News Source 4] [5] [News Source 5]
The politics of Azerbaijan and Russia are currently strained due to the ongoing investigation concerning the AZAL plane crash, with Azerbaijan accusing Russia of shooting down the aircraft using a ground-based missile like the Pantsir-S1 missile system. The Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Kanat Bozumbayev, has announced financial assistance to the families of the victims, but no specifics about the sponsorship funds or their source have been provided yet. Meanwhile, the general-news coverage of this tragedy also includes reports of accidents such as the emergency landing attempt by Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243, an incident that resulted in 38 fatalities and left 29 injured. On the issue of crime and justice, it's worth noting that the investigation is being conducted according to the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and involves experts from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia, and ICAO representatives.
