During a government meeting on Saturday, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, discussed the crash of the Embraer 190 passenger plane in Aktau. The head of state emphasized that there should be no “information provocation and fakes” in connection with the tragedy. In Kazakhstan, the state of air safety should be reviewed nationwide. A government commission and the General Prosecutor’s Office will carefully investigate the circumstances of the tragedy.
Tokayev praised the rescue efforts and voluntary work at the crash site, stating that they could have prevented severe consequences and saved many lives. Tokayev ordered the government to recognize those who demonstrated bravery and professionalism in the rescue operation.
The air disaster occurred on December 25. The Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft, which had been flying the Baku-Grozny route, failed to land in the capital of the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation, turned back, and sent out a distress signal due to a failure of the control system. The crew had requested an emergency landing in Aktau, but the runway was not reached and the plane crashed. Of the 67 people on board, 38 lost their lives, including seven Russians. The tragedy is being investigated in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Azerbaijan, and an official version of the events has not yet been released.