Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Azerbaijan – At least 39 people have been confirmed dead following a plane crash near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan.
On Wednesday, December 25, An Embraer 190 passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed while en route from Baku to Grozny, Russia.
BBC reported that Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, with 62 passengers and five crew members, caught fire as it attempted to make an emergency landing near the Kazakh city of Aktau
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed that fire services extinguished the blaze at the crash site, and the injured, including two children, were transported to a nearby hospital.
Preliminary reports showed 39 people died on the spot while 28 were injured and were rushed to hospital. The bodies of the deceased were being recovered.
Drone footage from the scene showed emergency vehicles surrounding the wreckage and what appeared to be the remains of victims.
Kazakh authorities announced the formation of a government commission to investigate the crash, with members travelling to the site to ensure that the families of the victims receive the necessary assistance. Kazakhstan’s government stated it would cooperate with Azerbaijan on the investigation.
