Russia, Azerbaijan outline plan for joint investigation into plane crash details

On December 29, Chairman of the Russian Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin and Azerbaijani Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev discussed the progress of the investigation of the plane crash. 

The two officials discussed the progress of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Russian Investigative Committee.

The plane was carrying citizens from two countries, as well as from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

The phone talk centred on the well-established, comprehensive cooperation among Russian investigators, forensic experts and their counterparts from Azerbaijani and Kazakh investigative teams. 

Bastrykin assured that Russia had deployed its most experienced investigators from the central office of the Investigative Committee, equipped with advanced forensic technology. He further emphasised that a full range of investigative actions is underway to determine the exact causes and circumstances of the tragic event. 

During the phone call, the officials outlined the key tasks for the joint investigation plan, expressing their commitment to continued, extensive collaboration.

The crash occurred on December 25, when an Embraer aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, en route from Baku to Grozny, tragically crashed near Aktau. The plane was carrying 67 people, including 37 Azerbaijanis, 16 Russians, 6 Kazakhs, and 3 Kyrgyz nationals. Sadly, 38 people lost their lives in the crash, with 29 survivors.

By Naila Huseynova