ASTANA — At least 29 people have survived after a plane burst into flames after crashing near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday, authorities said, as rescue workers search for dozens of other passengers feared dead.
Extraordinary video from the crash captured the moment dazed survivors emerged from the wrecked plane, which was carrying 67 people on board.
Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 was traveling from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to Grozny in the Russian region of Chechnya before it made an emergency landing approximately 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from Aktau, the carrier said.
Two of the 29 survivors are children, authorities said, adding that all have been taken to a nearby hospital.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations said its teams found the aircraft on fire upon arrival at the scene with rescue units extinguishing the fire on arrival.
Video of the crash showed the plane erratically circling the airfield before the crash. As it hit the ground, the aircraft burst into flames, with bloodied passengers emerging from the wreckage shortly after.
Russia’s aviation watchdog said in a statement that preliminary information suggested the pilot had decided to make an emergency landing after a bird strike.
There were 62 passengers and 5 crew members on board, Kazakhstan’s transport ministry said in a preliminary report. It said 37 of the passengers were citizens of Azerbaijan, six of Kazakhstan, three of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 of Russia, according to preliminary data.
“Additional information regarding the incident will be provided to the public,” the airline said on its Facebook page.
The Kazakhstan government has set up a commission to investigate the cause of the crash.
“The Commission was instructed to immediately fly to the scene of the accident, ensure a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the crash, and take measures to provide priority assistance to the families of the dead and injured,” a government statement said.
Kazakhstan will cooperate with Azerbaijan on the investigation, it added. — Agencies
