Additional Coverage:
Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crash Investigation
Survivors of the deadly Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan have reported hearing unusual sounds during the flight. One crew member said he heard thuds outside the plane while flying over Grozny, Russia.
The crash, which killed 38 people, is being investigated by Kazakh and Azerbaijani authorities. Preliminary evidence suggests external interference may have caused the crash.
Survivors reported seeing bullet holes in the wreckage, and witnesses described explosions during the flight. Azerbaijan’s transport minister said passengers heard something touch the plane outside Grozny.
Some sources speculate that Russian air defense systems may have accidentally shot down the plane, which was flying over an area where Russian air defenses have been active. However, the Kremlin declined to comment until the investigation is complete.
Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights to several Russian cities due to safety concerns. Other airlines have also canceled flights to Russia in the wake of the crash. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.