Memorial unveiled in Grozny for victims of AZAL plane crash near Aktau

A monument commemorating those who died in the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) passenger plane near the Kazakh city of Aktau in December 2024 was unveiled in Grozny ahead of the anniversary of the tragedy, officials said.

The memorial has been installed in a park named after Azerbaijani National Leader Heydar Aliyev in Grozny city of Chechnya, Russia, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

The unveiling ceremony was attended by representatives of the Chechen authorities, Azerbaijan Airlines, and the Azerbaijani diplomatic corps.

Galas Taymaskhanov, head of the administration of the Chechen head and government, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and described the crash as a tragedy that deeply affected all those involved.

He said the memorial plaque was dedicated to the passengers who lost their lives on the Baku–Grozny flight and stressed that the actions of the pilots and crew had been heroic, noting that their professionalism helped save the lives of 29 people.

During the ceremony, Taymaskhanov presented Azerbaijan Airlines President Samir Rzayev with medals “For Merit to the Chechen Republic” on behalf of the Chechen authorities for the surviving flight attendants, Zulfugar Asadov and Aidan Ragimli. 

Rzayev said the tragedy had highlighted the strength of the bonds between nations in times of hardship, pointing to the long-standing historical, cultural, and spiritual ties between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Chechnya. He added that the memory of the crash should serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving peace, human life, and trust between peoples, while acknowledging the profound grief still felt by the families and loved ones of the victims.

Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Russia, Rahman Mustafayev, also took part in the ceremony.

The Embraer 190 aircraft, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was flying from Baku to Grozny when it crashed on December 25 near Aktau. There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members. The passengers included citizens of Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

By Sabina Mammadli