Azerbaijan Airlines Crash: Large Holes on Tail Spark Speculation of Attack
MOSCOW, Dec 26 (Bernama-AA) — Large holes on the tail of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Kazakhstan on Wednesday sparked speculation that the plane had been downed by an attack, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.
Holes on Tail Raise Questions
The holes, clearly visible in photos and videos of the Embraer 190 plane, appeared to have been caused by weapons fire, according to some commentators and members of the public online. As investigators from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have yet to comment on the holes, people on social media have speculated that the plane was shot down.
Background to the Crash
The debate was supported by reports about the plane’s inability to land in Grozny, Chechnya due to a Ukrainian drone attack several hours before the crash. The pilot reportedly redirected the flight to the city of Makhachkala in the neighbouring Dagestan region but was deterred by fog and ultimately requested to land in Aktau, a city on the Caspian Sea.
Investigation Underway
The Kazakh Transport Ministry said Thursday that staff from its Department for the Investigation of Transport Accidents and Incidents are currently in the field stage of their probe. The ministry said as a delegation of the State Civil Aviation Agency of Azerbaijan, as well as representatives of Azerbaijan Airlines arrived in Kazakhstan, the probe is being done in close cooperation with them. Azerbaijan Airlines suspended flights from Grozny to the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, and Makhachkala until the end of the investigation.
Casualties and Response
In a separate statement, the Kazakh Emergency Ministry said that seven of the 38 people killed in the accident were identified, adding that six injured people remain in intensive care. Russia’s Emergency Ministry said nine of its nationals injured in the crash were returned to the country. An Azerbaijan Airlines flight with 67 people on board – 62 passengers and five crew members – travelling from Baku to Grozny crashed on Wednesday near the Kazakh city of Aktau. Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev reported that 38 people lost their lives in the crash and 29 survived. Dec 26 was declared a day of national mourning in Azerbaijan over the crash.
Conclusion
The investigation into the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane is ongoing, with investigators from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan working together to determine the cause of the accident. The discovery of large holes on the tail of the plane has sparked speculation about the possibility of an attack, but until the investigation is complete, the cause of the crash remains unknown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many people were on board the plane?
A: There were 67 people on board the plane, including 62 passengers and five crew members.
Q: How many people were killed in the crash?
A: 38 people were killed in the crash.
Q: How many people were injured in the crash?
A: 29 people were injured in the crash, with six remaining in intensive care.
Q: What is the cause of the crash?
A: The cause of the crash is currently unknown and is under investigation.