An Azerbaijan Airlines flight traveling from Baku to Grozny crashed in Kazakhstan with nearly 70 passengers onboard on December 25. Two dozen survivors are in a critical condition, according to reports.

The passenger plane crashed near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan, during a flight from Baku to Grozny (Chechnya, Russia).

A total of 25 people survived with 22 hospitalised, the press service of the Kazakh Emergencies Ministry reported.

"There were 67 people on board the plane, including five crew members. The information about those injured is being clarified. According to preliminary data, there are 25 survivors. Twenty-two have been taken to a hospital," the statement said.

According to the Emergencies Ministry, 150 firefighters and 45 items of equipment are extinguishing the fire at the crash site. Lists of passengers are being compiled. Kazakhstan's Ministry of Health confirmed that survivors are in a critical condition. Two children were amongst the passengers on the plane, one of which reportedly survived.

The Kazinform news agency, citing the regional health administration, reported that 12 people had been evacuated from the crash site, including a child. They were taken to hospital.

An Embraer 190 passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was en route from the Azerbaijani capital of Baku to Grozny, when reports indicated the aircraft signalled an emergency while flying over the Caspian Sea. The plane came down around 3km from Aktau, an oil and gas hub on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea.

Russian media reported that 67 passengers and 5 crew members were on board the aircraft. The Kazakh transport ministry said 62 passengers and five crew members were on the plane.

 

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations stated that 52 personnel and 11 units of equipment were dispatched to the crash site in Aktau: "Upon arrival, the aircraft was found burning".

preliminary reports say some 25 people survived among the dozens onboard.

KazAeroNavigation company indicates that the crash allegedly may have occurred due to a collision with a bird and a steering system malfunction, reports Ukrainska Pravda.

According to Chechnya's airport, the plane was diverted to Makhachkala due to heavy fog, TASS reports.

Separately, some Russian sources speculated that the plane may have changed course due to a potential drone attack on Chechnya. Preliminary reports suggest Grozny was targeted by multiple drones, prompting the airport to implement the Kover (Carpet) Plan.

The press service of the Kazakh Transport Ministry reported that 37 Azerbaijani citizens, six Kazakh citizens, three Kyrgyz citizens and 16 Russian citizens were on board the plane.