Two Children, 27 Other Passengers Survive Kazakhstan Plane Crash Out Of 67 People Onboard

A devastating plane crash occurred near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, resulting in a significant loss of life.

Of the 67 people on board, 29 survived the disaster, while rescue teams are still searching for dozens of others who are feared dead, CNN reports.

The plane burst into flames immediately after crashing, and dramatic video footage showed the aircraft circling erratically over the airfield before plummeting to the ground.

Emergency responders are working tirelessly to locate the remaining passengers and provide assistance to those affected by the tragedy.

Information provided by Russia’s aviation watchdog shows the pilot had decided to make an emergency landing after a bird strike.

As it hit the ground, the aircraft burst into flames, with bloodied passengers emerging from the wreckage shortly after.

The crashed 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.

According to details released, 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.

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.