A harrowing video taken by a passenger aboard Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243 has emerged, revealing the tense moments leading up to the crash that occurred near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Christmas Day.
Passenger captures moments before deadly plane crash
The footage, now viral on social media, provides an intimate look into the fear and chaos onboard before the plane went down, tragically claiming 38 lives.
The video, reportedly sent by the passenger to their spouse, shows oxygen masks dangling from the cabin ceiling and audible prayers from passengers.
A female crew member’s voice can also be heard giving instructions. This chilling glimpse captures the anxiety that permeated the aircraft as it became clear that something was critically wrong.
RelatedPosts
Following the crash, additional footage showed the passenger walking around the wreckage, visibly bruised but alive, chanting religious affirmations amid the devastation.
The man, whose identity remains unknown, was one of 29 survivors, many of whom are in critical condition, according to officials.
Azerbaijan Airlines crash: Here’s everything we know
According to reports, the Embraer 190, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Chechnya, when it veered off its planned route and crashed near the oil and gas hub of Aktau. The aircraft was carrying 62 passengers and five crew members.
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev confirmed the fatalities and praised emergency responders for their rapid intervention.
The crash site quickly became the focal point for rescue efforts, with over 150 emergency workers extinguishing flames and recovering passengers from the wreckage.
Initial investigations suggest that mechanical failures or external factors, such as a possible bird strike or GPS interference, may have contributed to the disaster.
The aircraft’s black box has been recovered, and authorities in both Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have launched investigations.
Russian media speculated that the crash may have been influenced by heightened drone activity in southern Russia, which had previously disrupted flight routes. However, these claims remain unverified.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev declared a national day of mourning on 26 December and expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
