Lavrov and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister discuss plane crash near Aktau

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed by phone with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov the situation with the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane near the Kazakh city of Aktau.

"In continuation of the conversation held the same day between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the ministers discussed the development of events related to the crash of a passenger plane of Azerbaijan Airlines on December 25 near the Kazakh city of Aktau," the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry reported on December 28.

The parties confirmed the agreement of the leaders of both countries on the need for a thorough investigation of the tragedy, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

Lavrov and Bayramov also emphasized the need to establish the causes of the incident and take measures to resolve the situation and prevent similar cases in the future.

In addition, the foreign ministers exchanged views on the upcoming Russian-Azerbaijani contacts at the highest and high levels.

Tragedy in Aktau: Baku-Grozny passenger plane crashed

A fire started at the scene and there are survivors

Earlier in the day, Putin discussed with Aliyev the plane crash near Aktau. The leaders noted that the aircraft was trying to land at Grozny airport, which along with Mozdok and Vladikavkaz was attacked by Ukrainian drones at the time. As a result of the conversation, the Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case, and an international group of experts was set up at Baku's initiative to investigate the crash.

A passenger plane of AZAL Airlines, heading on the route Baku - Grozny, crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on December 25. The Ministry of Transport of Azerbaijan named external interference as the preliminary cause of the crash. According to the airline's list, 62 passengers and five crew members were on board. A total of 38 bodies were found at the crash site.

Seven Russians died in the airplane crash, nine Russian citizens survived. Later, a special airplane of the Russian Emergencies Ministry delivered them to Moscow. Of the crew, three people survived.

After the crash, AZAL suspended flights from Baku to Grozny and Makhachkala until the investigation is completed. Later the company decided to suspend flights to Sochi, Volgograd, Ufa, Samara and Mineralnye Vody.

Also on December 27, representatives of the Embraer manufacturer arrived in Aktau to take part in the investigation. In the coming days, employees of the Center for the Investigation and Prevention of Aviation Accidents (CENIPA) of Brazil are expected to arrive.