Azerbaijan Consul confirms 38 dead in tragic plane crash, 26 citizens among victims

At least 38 people have died following a tragic plane crash, with 26 of the victims confirmed to be Azerbaijani citizens, said Azerbaijan’s Consul General in Aktau, Aykhan Suleymanli.

According to Suleymanli, the incident, which occurred recently, has left 67 people on board, including crew members, with 16 survivors, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

"Of the 16 survivors, 10 to 12 are in stable condition, while others remain in critical care. Efforts are underway to transport the injured back to Azerbaijan," he said.

Unfortunately, many of the bodies recovered from the wreckage are said to be unrecognizable. Suleymanli added that DNA tests would be used to help identify the victims whose remains are severely damaged.

“The bodies of the victims will undergo necessary medical procedures before being sent back to Azerbaijan,” he explained.

The Consul General also assured that Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Health and Prosecutor General’s Office officials are closely monitoring the condition of the survivors. An investigation into the cause of the crash is currently underway.

To recall, on December 25, an Embraer 190 aircraft of Azerbaijan Airlines, operating Baku-Grozny flight No. J2-8243, crashed in Aktau.

Among those aboard the plane were 37 Azerbaijan nationals, 16 Russian citizens, six from Kazakhstan, and three from Kyrgyzstan. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev