There are mounting indications that the Azerbaijan Airlines plane was accidentally shot down on Wednesday (see video above). The Azerbaijani government is now speaking publicly for the first time about the use of weapons against the plane. Meanwhile, survivors report ‘three explosions’.
These were heard as the plane flew over the Russian city of Grozny. “Accordingly, there was a sound of an explosion outside, after which the plane was hit by something,” Azerbaijani Transport Minister Rashad Nabiyev said, citing reports from survivors. Their statements and the damage to the wreckage indicate that the passenger plane was damaged from the outside.
Zukhonkul Rakhimov, one of the survivors, said splinters got into the machine. He grabbed a life jacket and noticed there was a hole in it. The witness said it was pierced by splinters.
“The investigation will clarify what type of weapon the external influence used,” Nabiyev said. However, he did not say who the government believed had fired. As reported, Russian authorities have now confirmed a temporary link to a drone attack by Ukraine. The passenger plane could therefore not land in Grozny for safety reasons and had to take alternative actions. There was also thick fog and the pilot made two failed landing attempts. According to internet plane trackers, GPS data on the plane’s exact location was disrupted.
Here you can view a crew member’s report.
Airline announces compensation
The Russian government said it was important to wait for the ongoing investigation into the plane crash to understand what happened. The incident took place on Wednesday near the Kazakh city of Aktau on the coast of the Caspian Sea. 38 people were killed, 29 others survived, some seriously injured.
The people come from Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Germany. Azerbaijan Airlines has announced that it will pay compensation to the injured and the relatives of the deceased. The equivalent of 11,300 euros will be given to the injured and almost 22,600 euros to relatives of the victims.
Aid from Chechnya rejected
The government of Azerbaijan has reportedly rejected aid offered by Russia’s Chechnya region to the plane crash victims. “Azerbaijan demands an acknowledgment of the fact, an apology and the payment of appropriate compensation,” said a representative of the presidential office in Baku.
Source: Krone
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