Russia creates special team to investigate causes of Azerbaijani plane crash

The Russian Investigative Committee has said that Chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin held a meeting in Grozny to discuss the investigation into the plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan.

The criminal case regarding the crash has been transferred to the Main Investigative Department of the Russian Investigative Committee, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The case has been initiated under Article 263 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (violation of safety rules for air traffic and aircraft operation).

"A special investigative and operational group, including investigators, criminologists, and experts with experience in aviation accident investigations, has been created. All necessary measures are being taken within the criminal case to determine the circumstances and causes of the crash," the Investigative Committee said.

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