At least 38 passengers have died as an Azerbaijan plane carrying 67 people crashed on Christmas day in Kazakhstan, local authorities have confirmed.
According to the emergency ministry, preliminary reports indicate that 25 people survived the crash, with 22 of them taken to the hospital for treatment.
The Embraer 190 aircraft, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, reportedly caught fire upon crashing near Aktau city on Wednesday. Officials have confirmed that the fire has since been extinguished.
The transport ministry disclosed that the flight, identified as Azerbaijan Airlines J2-8243, was en route Baku, Azerbaijan to Grozny, Russia, carrying 62 passengers and five crew members.
The aircraft was allegedly diverted due to heavy fog conditions.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are underway.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
