Engulfed in flames: Chilling footage reveals Azerbaijan Airlines tragedy

Dubai: An Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet tragically crashed in western Kazakhstan on Wednesday, claiming the lives of 38 people out of the 67 on board. The Embraer EMB 190 aircraft had taken off from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, and was scheduled to fly northwest to Grozny in southern Russia. However, it veered far off its intended route and ended up crashing near Aktau, an oil and gas hub on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea.

Flight tracking data revealed the plane strayed significantly from its flight path, crossing the Caspian Sea and circling the area before the accident. The crash site near Aktau became the centre of grim scenes as footage shared on social media showed the aircraft bursting into flames upon impact, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky. The plane broke into several parts, as revealed in videos and images from the aftermath.

The cause of the crash remains unclear. Investigators are working to determine what led to the catastrophic deviation from the planned route and the subsequent crash. The incident has raised questions about the flight's navigational decisions and potential technical failures.

The tragedy has shocked the region, with families mourning the loss of loved ones and authorities promising a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the disaster.

— With inputs from agencies