A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines from Baku to Grozny crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) said.
The Embraer 190 aircraft with flight number J2-8243 crashed near Aktau Airport. The ministry reported 28 survivors in the incident, with rescue operations going on.
There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members, Azerbaijan Airlines said on social media platform X.
According to Kazakh media reports, the passengers aboard included 37 citizens from Azerbaijan, 16 from Russia, six from Kazakhstan, and three from Kyrgyzstan.
The initial cause of the tragedy appears to be a bird strike.
The MES dispatched 52 personnel and 11 units of equipment to the site, where the aircraft was found to be on fire.
The Embraer 190 aircraft is designed to carry between 96 and 114 passengers, depending on its cabin configuration. The aircraft can fly up to 4,500 km.
According to flight tracking service provider FlightAware, the aircraft took off from Baku 11 minutes ahead of schedule. While flying over the Caspian Sea, it issued an emergency signal.
Azerbaijani media reported that the aircraft was unable to obtain permission to land in Grozny due to fog, leading it to be redirected to Makhachkala of Russia's Dagestan and later to Aktau.
Azerbaijan Airlines has assured that more information will be provided, while local authorities and emergency services are investigating the crash.
Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashes near Aktau
China and Thailand on Friday agreed to strengthen strategic alignment and enhance cooperation in various fields in a meeting between Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Noting the current turbulent international situation, Anutin said Thailand firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to work with China to implement the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries.
Thailand is ready to work with China to resolutely combat online gambling and telecommunications fraud to further make the friendship between Thailand and China rooted in people's hearts, he said.
Anutin extended his gratitude for China's unremitting efforts in helping properly resolve the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, adding that he looks forward to China continuing to play a constructive role.
Noting China is a reliable and dependable strategic cooperative partner of Thailand, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the saying "China and Thailand are one family" has a solid public opinion and social foundation and is showing even broader prospects.
Wang said that, facing a volatile international situation, China is willing to deepen mutual respect, trust and support with Thailand, and carry forward traditional friendship.
China stands ready to expand cooperation with Thailand in new energy, infrastructure, agriculture and other fields, promote the building of a more stable, prosperous and sustainable China-Thailand community with a shared future, and continuously make new contributions to regional stability and development, Wang said.
He expressed the hope that Thailand will intensify its efforts to crack down on online gambling and telecommunications fraud, creating a favorable environment for bilateral relations.
As a common friend of Thailand and Cambodia, China is willing to continue to build a platform for the two sides to engage in dialogue, rebuild mutual trust and improve relations, according to Wang.
China, Thailand agree to strengthen strategic alignment, enhance cooperation
China, Thailand agree to strengthen strategic alignment, enhance cooperation
China, Thailand agree to strengthen strategic alignment, enhance cooperation
