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Tengrinews.kz – A film crew from CBC Azerbaijan has arrived in Aktau to shoot a documentary about the deadly AZAL plane crash, which took place near the city on December 25, 2024. The project aims to chronicle the tragedy in detail and honor the memory of the victims.
Senior editor Gulzar Mustafayeva, director Mezair Gashimov, and cameraman Vusal Alekperov shared details of the project with Lada.kz.
"This is a tragedy of unimaginable scale, especially because it happened in peacetime. Ordinary people were on board - families, children. Some were flying home for the New Year, others just on winter vacation. One child was traveling to see his mother. And yet the unthinkable happened," Mustafayeva shared.
The story behind the film
The documentary will trace the events minute by minute, starting from the moment passengers boarded the aircraft. The crew emphasized their desire to highlight the response of Kazakh citizens, who came together in solidarity and compassion in the aftermath of the disaster.
"The support shown by the people of Kazakhstan reflects true brotherhood. This is not just rhetoric - it’s something deeply felt," Mustafayeva added.
The team visited the memorial site where the crash occurred, sharing emotional impressions of what remains: scraps of clothing, a suitcase wheel, and other remnants - silent reminders of the lives lost.
"You realize you’re standing where lives ended. It’s deeply moving and unforgettable," said the CBC journalists.
What happened on December 25
An Embraer jet operated by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) crashed three kilometers from Aktau Airport while attempting an emergency landing. The flight was en route from Baku to Grozny, carrying 62 passengers and 5 crew members.
According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations, the victims included:
- 42 citizens of Azerbaijan
- 16 citizens of Russia
- 6 citizens of Kazakhstan
- 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan
Only passengers from Azerbaijan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan survived. There were no Kazakhstani survivors.
Investigation and controversy
Kazakhstan is leading the investigation under ICAO convention rules, with participation from experts in Azerbaijan, Russia, Embraer, and other international bodies. Black boxes have been recovered and are being analyzed.
Some media reports, including from Euronews and Reuters, have suggested that Russian air defense systems may have played a role in the crash. On December 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an apology, noting that the tragedy occurred in Russian airspace, and expressed condolences to the victims' families.
The following day, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that the aircraft was damaged from the outside and lost control, allegedly due to electronic warfare systems. He later made formal demands toward Russia regarding the incident.
What is known about the plane crash in Aktau
