NATO Expresses Condolences Over Tragic AZAL Plane Crash in Aktau

NATO spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah offers condolences over tragic plane crash in Aktau, Kazakhstan, The Caspian Post reports citing Trend.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and victims of Azerbaijan Airlines flight J28243. We wish those injured in the crash a speedy recovery and call for a full investigation," she wrote on her page on X.

The incident occurred on December 25, when an Embraer 190 plane operated by AZAL, en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed just 3 kilometers from Aktau Airport.

The Embraer 190 was carrying 67 people, including 62 passengers and five crew members.

In the aftermath of the crash, 27 people were hospitalized. Among them, 15 are citizens of Azerbaijan, eight are from Russia, and three are from Kyrgyzstan. The identity of one individual remains unknown.

Of those hospitalized, 11 are being treated in intensive care, 13 in the trauma ward, two in the neurosurgery ward, and one in the surgical ward. They are under the care of experienced doctors from Kazakhstan, as well as specialists sent from Azerbaijan and Russia. All patients have received prompt and specialized medical and psychological support.

The crash claimed the lives of both pilots and a flight attendant. Two other crew members survived.

December 26 has been declared a day of mourning in Azerbaijan.