Nournews: On Dec. 25, an Embraer 190 belonging to the Republic of Azerbaijan’s airlines crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan after failing to land during an emergency.
The incident, which occurred under adverse climatic conditions, resulted in a severe fire and caused extensive damage to the airplane.
Despite ambiguities in the initial information, 38 people have been reported dead, and 22 others injured.
The plane, flying from Baku to Grozny in Russia, had deviated from its route due to adverse weather conditions.
According to local officials, the plane crashed while attempting an emergency landing. Parts of its body, including its wing and tail, were filled with holes, which some experts believe were caused by a blast or shrapnel.
Released videos show similar damage to the interior parts of the plane. Images and claims suggesting that the airplane was hit by man-portable air-defense missiles, exploded in proximity, or struck by birds are still under investigation.
According to rumors, some survivors reported that a missile had hit the plane. However, official authorities have not confirmed these claims.
Probable Reasons
Bird strikes: Russian media reported that the plane might have encountered a large flock of birds, resulting in the incident.
Technical problems: Azerbaijan Airlines announced that the plane had requested an emergency landing due to a prior technical problem.
Damage from air-defense bullets or missile shrapnel: Images of the plane's body and evidence of small holes have raised suspicions of an impact caused by missile shrapnel or similar factors.
Climatic and meteorological conditions: Thick fog caused reduced visibility at Aktau airport, which might have contributed to the plane's deviation from its route.
The Brazilian company Embraer, the manufacturer of the plane, has announced its readiness to cooperate in determining the cause of the crash.
The Republic of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have also begun their investigations. The Republic of Azerbaijan has temporarily halted its flights to Russia.
Euronews claims
Euronews, citing four sources, claimed that Russia’s air-defense system was responsible for the airplane crash that killed 38 people.
According to these sources, a missile exploded mid-flight, and its shrapnel hit the crew and passengers.
They stated that the missile was a ground-to-air type from Russia and was fired at flight No. 8432 during drone activity over the skies of Grozny.
Governmental sources from the Republic of Azerbaijan claimed that the damaged plane was not permitted to land at any Russian airport despite the pilots’ requests for an emergency landing. Instead, it was ordered to fly toward Aktau in Kazakhstan.
NOURNEWS