CBC Azerbaijan Begins Filming Documentary on Tragic AZAL Plane Crash in Kazakhstan

A film crew from CBC Azerbaijan has arrived in the Kazakh city of Aktau to produce a documentary about the devastating Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane crash that occurred in late 2024.

Senior editor Gulzar Mustafayeva, film director Mazahir Hashimov, and cameraman Vusal Alakbarov shared details about the project, emphasizing the human side of the tragedy, The Caspian Post reports via TengriNews.

“This tragedy is hard to comprehend, especially since it happened during peacetime, when nothing seemed to foreshadow disaster. Onboard were ordinary people-families, children. Some were flying to celebrate New Year’s with loved ones, others just to enjoy winter holidays. One child, for example, was traveling to see his mother. But the unimaginable happened,” Mustafayeva said.

While several films on the incident have already been produced in Azerbaijan, this new documentary aims to reconstruct the timeline of events in great detail-from passenger boarding through to the crash.

“It’s crucial to highlight how the people of Kazakhstan reacted, how the residents of Aktau united to offer help. This support from Kazakh people reflects true brotherhood and friendship between our nations. These aren’t just words,” Mustafayeva added.

The crew visited the crash site where a memorial now stands in honor of the victims. They described the atmosphere as heavy and deeply moving.

“Even though the area has been cleared and major debris removed long ago, small remnants remain-shreds of clothing, bits of shoes, a suitcase wheel from someone’s luggage. It leaves a profound impression. Standing there, you realize lives were abruptly cut short here. It touches you deeply. At the same time, standing by the monument, you feel a deep sense of gratitude and mourning. Such places must never be forgotten,” the journalists said.

The tragic crash took place on December 25, 2024, when an Embraer aircraft of Azerbaijan Airlines, operating the Baku-Grozny flight, crashed three kilometers from Aktau airport during an emergency landing attempt. The plane was carrying 62 passengers and 5 crew members.