Global condolences pour in after tragic Azerbaijan Airlines crash in Kazakhstan PHOTO / UPDATED

Nicaraguan President José Daniel Ortega Saavedra and Vice-President Rosario Murillo have expressed their condolences to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev following a tragic plane crash involving Azerbaijan Airlines.

In a joint statement, the Nicaraguan leaders conveyed their sorrow and solidarity with Azerbaijan, offering prayers for the victims and their families, Caliber.Az reports.

“With deep sorrow, we extend our heartfelt condolences for the tragic plane crash. We join in prayer to the Most High for the eternal rest of the departed and for comfort for their relatives and friends during this time of profound sadness.”

Moreover, Israel's Transport Minister Miri Regev said that the State of Israel, specifically its Ministry of Transport and Road Safety, stands ready to provide Azerbaijan with any assistance it may require following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane.

In a letter addressed to President Ilham Aliyev he extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy.

“Israel shares in your sorrow. We extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy and to the entire Azerbaijani nation. We wish a swift and full recovery to those injured,” the letter further notes.

In turn, Montenegro's Prime Minister, Milojko Spajić, has sent a letter of condolence to Azerbaijan's Prime Minister, Ali Asadov. Spajić expressed his sympathies on behalf of the Montenegrin government and personally in connection with the loss of lives caused by the crash of an Azerbaijani aircraft in Kazakhstan.

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The tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer aircraft near Aktau, Kazakhstan, has reverberated globally, prompting an outpouring of condolences and solidarity from various nations and organizations. 

The accident, which occurred on December 25, 2024, claimed 38 lives, including citizens of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and the Kyrgyz Republic, while 29 others, including children, survived, Caliber.Az reports.

Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UN Deputy Secretary-General and High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), has expressed his condolences on X page to Azerbaijan following a tragic plane crash.

"I am deeply saddened by the tragic crash of Azerbaijan Airlines in Kazakhstan, which claimed 38 lives, including citizens of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation."

In addition, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has also expressed his condolences to Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev regarding the crash near Aktau.

"Sad news out of Azerbaijan. I’m praying for the families impacted and my thoughts are with President Ilham Aliyev in this difficult time."

Similarly, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune sent a letter of condolence to President Aliyev regarding the loss of lives in the AZAL plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan.
"With deep sorrow and sadness, I received the news of the Azerbaijan Airlines crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, resulting in loss of life and injuries.

On behalf of the Algerian people and government, and personally, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Your Excellency and the bereaved families, sharing in your grief and wishing a swift recovery to the injured," Tebboune stated.

President Tebboune reaffirmed Algeria’s solidarity with Azerbaijan, expressing confidence that the Azerbaijani people would overcome this painful ordeal.

Moreover, Azerbaijanis residing in Romania have been placing flowers at Azerbaijan’s embassy in Bucharest to honour the victims of the crash on the Baku-Grozny route.

Members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Romania have left messages in the book of condolences opened at the embassy.

In Georgia, high-ranking officials paid tribute to the victims of the crash. On December 26, Georgian Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri, along with other officials, visited Azerbaijan's embassy in Tbilisi.

Georgian officials left messages in the book of condolences, stating that they share in the sorrow of the Azerbaijani people.

In Washington, the Azerbaijani embassy lowered its national flag in mourning for the victims of the AZAL plane crash.

US officials, members of the local community, and diplomatic representatives expressed their condolences regarding the tragedy.

In Istanbul, Azerbaijan’s Consulate General lowered the national flag and opened a book of condolences in memory of the victims.

Diplomats, including consuls general from various countries and representatives of organizations such as the Organization of Turkic States and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, visited the consulate to convey their sympathies and leave messages in the condolence book.

The national flag at Azerbaijan’s embassy in the US remained at half-mast on the declared day of mourning.

Ambassador Khazar Ibrahim and embassy staff observed a moment of silence for the victims. Throughout the day, foreign diplomats and military attachés visited the embassy to pay their respects and leave messages of condolence.

In Tehran, representatives of Iran’s Armed Forces and various foreign diplomats visited Azerbaijan’s embassy to offer their condolences.

"The representatives of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran expressed their sympathies and left heartfelt messages in the condolence book," stated the embassy.

Diplomats and military attachés from several countries also visited Azerbaijan’s diplomatic mission in Tehran to express their sorrow over the tragic loss of lives.

To recall, on December 25, an Embraer aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines en route from Baku to Grozny crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Of the 62 passengers aboard—37 Azerbaijanis, 16 Russians, 6 Kazakh citizens, and 3 Kyrgyz citizens—38 people lost their lives. Twenty-nine passengers, including three children, survived the accident.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev declared December 26, 2024 a national day of mourning for the victims.

By Aghakazim Guliyev