Aliyev considered it premature to talk about the causes of the plane crash in Kazakhstan

The reasons for the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) airplane are unknown, there are different versions, it is too early to talk about them. This was stated by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on December 25.

"There are different versions. I believe that it is premature to talk about it yet. The issue should be comprehensively investigated," he said, adding that the causes of the airplane crash are still unknown.

Aliyev also noted that according to the information provided to him, AZAL airplane changed the direction of flight towards Aktau airport due to deteriorating weather conditions, the tragedy occurred during landing.

Tragedy in Aktau: Baku-Grozny passenger plane crashed

A fire started at the scene and there are survivors

Earlier in the day, a passenger airplane of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), heading on the route Baku - Grozny, crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau. After the crash the plane caught fire, the fire was extinguished. Preliminary, the cause of the fall of the airplane could be a collision with a flock of birds. After the crash, a criminal case was opened under the article "Violation of safety rules in the operation of vehicles, resulting in the death of two or more persons by negligence".

Later, Azerbaijan Airlines published a list of passengers of the crashed airplane near Aktau. 62 people were listed in the list. It is known that 32 people survived the crash. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) told Izvestia that there were no organized groups of Russian tourists on board the crashed Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft. There was a version that the separation of the tail part of the plane in Aktau was a possible reason for saving the lives of many passengers.

The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported that the plane was carrying 16 Russians. The Russian Embassy in the Republic reported that 10 of them survived and were hospitalized. At the moment, search and rescue operations continue at the scene. The Russian Emergencies Ministry has opened a hotline.