ICAO official arrives in Kazakhstan to join investigation into Azerbaijani plane crash

A representative of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has arrived in Kazakhstan to participate in investigating the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Embraer 190 passenger plane near Aktau, according to the Kazakh Transport Ministry.

“On December 29, an accredited observer - head of the aviation accident investigation section Thormodur Thormodsson, arrived in Aktau city on behalf of ICAO Secretary General," The ministry said, Caliber.Az reports, citing Kazakh media.

The ministry said the ICAO's Thormodsson hailed the actions of the Kazakhstan aviation authorities in the openness of the investigation and involvement of interested states.

"Thus, all 17 international experts are in the city of Aktau,” the ministry said in a statement.

To recall, the crash occurred on December 25, when an Embraer aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, flying from Baku to Grozny, tragically went down near Aktau. The flight had 67 people on board, including 37 Azerbaijanis, 16 Russians, 6 Kazakhs, and 3 Kyrgyz nationals. Tragically, 38 people lost their lives, while 29 survivors were rescued.

By Khagan Isayev