In a shocking development, investigators have revealed that the Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day, killing 38 people, experienced “external physical and technical interference” before plummeting to the ground hundreds of miles off its planned route. The cryptic initial findings have prompted the carrier to suspend flights to five Russian airports, citing grave concerns over potential threats to flight safety in the region.
Mysterious Missile Strike Suspected
As hospitals scrambled to treat the dozens of injured survivors and Azerbaijan mourned the devastating loss of life, speculation swirled about the cause of the puzzling crash. A US official indicated on Thursday that early evidence pointed to a Russian anti-aircraft system potentially striking the doomed aircraft, echoing assertions from Ukrainian authorities and sources within Azerbaijan.
The plane, en route from Baku to Grozny, plunged from the sky in a field near Aktau, Kazakhstan after reportedly making two unsuccessful attempts to land in the Chechen capital amidst heavy fog and an alleged drone attack on the city’s infrastructure. Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia’s civil aviation agency, claimed that Ukrainian military drones were conducting “terrorist attacks” in the area at the time of the incident.
Passenger Describes Harrowing Ordeal
Subhonkul Rakhimov, a passenger who miraculously survived the catastrophic crash, recounted hearing at least one deafening bang as the plane approached Chechnya. “I thought the plane was going to fall apart,” he told Reuters. “It was as if it was drunk – not the same plane any more.”
“I grabbed a lifejacket and saw there was a hole in it – it was pierced by shrapnel. Somewhere between my legs this piece of shrapnel flew in and went right through the lifejacket.”
– Subhonkul Rakhimov, crash survivor
Rakhimov’s chilling account suggests that the blast occurred outside the aircraft, propelling deadly shrapnel through the fuselage in a manner consistent with a missile strike. Images of the devastating crash site depict the plane’s charred and mangled wreckage strewn across the field, a haunting testament to the ferocity of the impact.
Kremlin Deflects, Airlines Suspend Flights
As accusations mount, the Kremlin has remained tight-lipped about the incident. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to address the allegations of Russian involvement, insisting that it would be premature to make any assessments before the official crash investigation concludes.
However, the mere suspicion of a missile attack has sent shockwaves through the aviation industry, prompting several airlines to halt flights in the region. Kazakhstan’s Qazaq Air, Israel’s El Al, and the budget carrier flydubai have all suspended routes to various Russian destinations, underscoring the growing concerns over the safety of the airspace.
Azerbaijan Demands Answers and Accountability
As the investigation unfolds, Azerbaijani officials are demanding swift answers and accountability from Russia. Lawmaker Rasim Musabekov called on Russia to formally apologize, punish those responsible, and offer assurances that such a tragedy will never happen again.
“They have to accept this, punish those to blame, promise that such a thing will not happen again, express regrets and readiness to pay compensation. We are waiting for Russia to do this.”
– Rasim Musabekov, Azerbaijani lawmaker
Musabekov argued that if air defenses were active near Grozny airport, the airspace should have been closed, and the plane should have been diverted as it approached the city. Instead, he alleged, the aircraft was inexplicably “sent far away” across the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan with its GPS switched off, raising grave questions about the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A Tragedy Demanding Transparency
As families grieve their unimaginable losses and survivors grapple with the physical and emotional toll of the ordeal, the international community is united in demanding a thorough, transparent investigation into this appalling tragedy. The lives lost on that fateful Christmas Day flight deserve nothing less than the full truth and accountability from all parties involved.
The Azerbaijan Airlines crash serves as a grim reminder of the fragility of life and the paramount importance of safeguarding the security of our global aviation networks. As the investigation progresses and the facts emerge, the world will be watching closely, demanding justice for the victims and unwavering commitment to preventing such senseless tragedies in the future.
