Kazakhstan Commemorates Anniversary of AZAL Plane Tragedy

A memorial event was held in Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25 to mark the anniversary of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) passenger plane crash.

The ceremony, organized by the Azerbaijani Consulate, took place at the crash site, where the Embraer 190 aircraft went down a year ago, The Caspian Post reports via local media.

Participants observed a moment of silence, laid flowers, and recited verses from the Quran. Attendees included staff from the Azerbaijani Consulate in Aktau, diplomats from Türkiye, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, members of the Mangystau Regional Assembly and Council of Elders, professors and students from the Sh. Yesenov Caspian University of Technology and Engineering, representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora, the public, and media.

Aykhan Suleymanli, Azerbaijani Consul General in Aktau, praised the prompt response of Kazakh authorities, the coordinated efforts of search and rescue teams, and timely medical assistance for the victims. He emphasized that the heroism of the pilots helped prevent even greater loss of life.

Suleymanli also expressed hope that the Russian Federation will provide a legal assessment of the tragedy. Representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora and the Council of Elders highlighted the importance of solidarity and mutual support between brotherly nations during times of shared hardship. A commemorative “ehsan” ceremony (funeral meal) was organized in memory of the victims.

The Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), flight J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny, crashed on December 25, 2024, about three kilometers from Aktau. According to preliminary investigation findings, the plane was struck by Russia’s Pantsir-S air defense system while approaching Grozny.

There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members. Among them were 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russians, six Kazakh nationals, and three citizens of Kyrgyzstan. The crash claimed 38 lives, while 29 people survived. The victims included the aircraft’s captain Igor Kshnyakin, co-pilot Aleksandr Kalyaninov, and flight attendant Hokuma Aliyeva.

Surviving crew members Zulfigar Asadov and Aydan Rahimli received the “Rashadat” I Degree Order.