More than 40 people were feared dead after a plane carrying 72 people crashed while making an emergency landing near Kazakhstan's Aktau city on Wednesday, authorities said, adding that 27 people survived the crash.
Russian news agencies said Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 was en route from Baku to Grozny in Russia, but was rerouted due to fog in Grozny, news agency Reuters reported. According to The Associated Press, over 40 people were feared dead in the plane crash, Kazakhstan's emergency ministry said.
Kazakh media had initially reported that 110 people - 105 passengers and five crew members - were on board. Later, authorities revised the number to 72 - 67 passengers and five crew members.
A video shows the moment the plane losing altitude and making a rapid descent before it crashes and bursts into flames. As the plane crashes, plumes of smoke are seen rising on the spot. The plane crashed into an open field and burst into flames.
Emergency services extinguished the fire at the crash site, Kazakhstan's emergencies ministry said, adding that survivors were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical assistance.
In a statement, Azerbaijan Airlines said the flight had made an emergency landing approximately three kilometres near Aktau.
"The Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, flight numbered J2-8243 on the Baku-Grozny route, made an emergency landing approximately three kilometres near the city of Aktau. Additional information regarding the incident will be provided to the public," the airline wrote in a statement on its Instagram page.
Authorities said they had begun looking into different possible versions of what had happened, including a technical problem, Russia's Interfax news agency reported.
