World leaders unite in heartfelt condolences to Azerbaijan after tragic AZAL plane crash Solidarity through grief

World leaders have extended heartfelt condolences to Azerbaijan and its President Ilham Aliyev following the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) aircraft operating the Baku-Grozny flight near the Kazakh city of Aktau.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the crash, Caliber.Az reports.

The statement posted on the UN website says:
"The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the news of a plane crash in western Kazakhstan, which has claimed the lives of many, including citizens of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Russian Federation. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and expresses his profound sympathy to the affected nations. The Secretary-General also wishes a swift and full recovery to those injured in this tragic incident."

Dr. Salim M. Al Malik, Director-General of ICESCO, also offered his condolences, sharing in the grief of the Azerbaijani people and President Aliyev:
"It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we have received the devastating news of the tragic crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines airplane near Aktau, which has resulted in the loss of precious lives. On behalf of ICESCO and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to Your Excellency, to the bereaved families, and to all affected people during this difficult time. We share in your grief and stand in solidarity as you face the sorrow caused by this tragic event. We pray for the souls of the departed to rest in eternal peace and for the injured to recover swiftly. May Allah (SWT) grant strength and patience to the families and loved ones affected."

Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia, expressed his sympathy:
"Your Excellency, I was deeply saddened by the news of the Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane crash near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. On behalf of the Government and people of Georgia, I extend my heartfelt condolences to you and the people of Azerbaijan. In this difficult time, we stand by our brotherly Azerbaijan. We offer our sympathies to the families of the deceased and wish a swift recovery to the injured. Your Excellency, we share in your sorrow and that of the friendly people of Azerbaijan."

Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan, also conveyed his condolences:
"Dear Ilham Heydar oglu, please accept my deepest condolences for the numerous human losses and injuries resulting from the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane. In this difficult time, on behalf of the people and Government of Turkmenistan, as well as personally, I express deep sympathies and support to the families and loved ones of those who perished, and extend wishes for a swift recovery to the injured."

In a message from Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the grief was shared, extending condolences to President Aliyev:
"In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful!  We were deeply saddened by the news of the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. I extend my condolences to Your Excellency and the beloved people of Azerbaijan, particularly to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives. I pray to Allah the Almighty for mercy upon the deceased and wish a swift recovery to the injured."

The European Union (EU), through spokesman Anouar El Anouni, also expressed deep sympathy:
"We learnt with sorrow about the crash of the AZAL Airlines plane during an emergency landing near Aktau in Kazakhstan. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," stated the EU spokesperson on social media.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar shared his condolences via a post on social media:
"I am saddened by the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Aktau. I express my condolences to the families and countries that lost their loved ones and citizens. I wish a speedy recovery to all victims."

The Hungarian Embassy in Azerbaijan also extended their sympathies on Facebook:
"We express our sincere and deep condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the crash of AZAL Baku-Grozny flight on 25 December near the Kazakh city of Aktau, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. In these difficult hours, our thoughts and prayers are with our Azerbaijani friends."

Željka Cvijanović, Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, also expressed her condolences:
"It is with deep sorrow that I received the news of the tragic plane crash in which Azerbaijani citizens lost their lives. In these difficult moments, on behalf of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and on my own behalf, I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims, as well as with the entire Azerbaijani nation. May the memories of those tragically lost and hope for the full recovery of survivors bring you strength, and may all those affected by this tragedy find comfort and resilience to overcome their pain. Please accept the expression of our deepest sympathy and support."

Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq offered condolences to Azerbaijan: "I am profoundly saddened by the tragic crash of the Azerbaijani airliner near Aktau, Kazakhstan. I extend my sincere condolences to President Ilham Aliyev, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova and the people of Azerbaijan over the irreparable loss of precious lives. Our hearts are with the grieving families, and we pray for the swift recovery of the injured. The Government and People of Pakistan stand firmly with Azerbaijan in this time of sorrow."

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 42 Azerbaijanis, 16 Russians, 6 Kazakhs, and 3 Kyrgyz nationals. Sadly, 38 people lost their lives in the crash, with 29 survivors.

In response, President Ilham Aliyev declared a day of mourning in Azerbaijan on December 26 to honour those lost in the tragedy.

By Tamilla Hasanova