Azerbaijan receives condolences from international community amid heartbreaking tragedy UPDATED

The international community continues to extend heartfelt condolences to Azerbaijan in the wake of the tragic plane crash involving an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flight on December 25, 2024, which occurred near Aktau, Kazakhstan.

On December 26, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan reached out to his Azerbaijani counterpart, President Ilham Aliyev, offering his condolences for the devastating loss, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

"On behalf of the people of Uzbekistan, I express my deepest sympathy to you and to the families of the victims. We wish a speedy recovery to those injured," President Mirziyoyev said during a phone call. President Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the support, thanking Uzbekistan for standing in solidarity with Azerbaijan during this painful time.

Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, also made a phone call to President Aliyev. Regarding the plane crash, President Pezeshkian expressed his condolences to President Aliyev and to the families of the victims, wishing a swift recovery to the injured. President Aliyev thanked President Pezeshkian for the condolences and the solidarity shown by the people of Iran.

Further extending their sympathies, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan wrote to President Aliyev, conveying the grief of the Pakistani people. "On behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan, as well as on my own behalf, I offer our deepest condolences to you and the people of Azerbaijan," Sharif wrote. "We stand in solidarity with Your Excellency and the people of Azerbaijan at this time of sorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, and we pray for the swift recovery of those injured." He emphasized the resilience and unity of the Azerbaijani people in overcoming this tragedy.

In addition to these leaders, Milorad Dodik, President of the Republic of Srpska, also shared his condolences, addressing President Aliyev with deep sadness. "Lost lives are always irreplaceable, and our hearts go out to the families who have lost their loved ones," Dodik expressed. "To the injured, we wish a swift and complete recovery. My deepest sympathies go out to you and the people of Azerbaijan."

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his deep shock upon hearing the devastating news, offering condolences to the Presidents of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Russia, Vladimir Putin, and Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. In a heartfelt message, Xi conveyed the Chinese government's sorrow over the loss of life, extending his deepest sympathies to the victims' families and wishing a swift recovery to those injured.

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi also sent a letter of condolence to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, expressing his sadness over the crash of the AZAL aircraft. The official message was posted on the Egyptian President's website, underscoring Egypt’s solidarity with Azerbaijan during this tragic time.

Similarly, the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, expressed his condolences to President Ilham Aliyev. The Kuwaiti News Agency reported on this gesture of solidarity following the crash near Aktau.

President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also sent his condolences to President Aliyev. According to the official UAE website, the letter expressed profound sorrow over the significant loss of life in the crash and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.

In his message, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed stated, "We have received with deep sorrow the news of the large number of dead and injured in the crash of a passenger plane of Azerbaijan Airlines in Kazakhstan. We express our deep condolences in connection with this heavy loss and wish speedy healing to the wounded."

The Muslim Council of Elders, foreign ministers from various countries, and numerous embassies in Azerbaijan have also sent their condolences, offering words of comfort to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery to those affected by the crash.

As the country continues to mourn, these messages of support remind Azerbaijan of the global solidarity and compassion extended during this time of profound grief.

By Tamilla Hasanova