Plane Crash in Kazakhstan Kills 38 People
A plane carrying 67 people crashed in Kazakhstan on December 25. Thirty-eight people have been confirmed dead.
The plane was heading from Baku to Grozny when it encountered a missile strike. The missile allegedly targeted the plane during drone activity over Grozny. Shrapnel from the explosion hit the passengers and crew, causing damage to the aircraft.
Reports say that air defense systems were used in the attack. The plane tried to land in Grozny, but Russian airports refused permission. The pilots had to divert to Aktau in Kazakhstan instead.
Footage shows holes in the fuselage and damage to the tail section of the plane, consistent with a surface-to-air missile strike.
Survivors said they heard an explosion before trying to land in Aktau. However, the plane broke apart on impact and caught fire.
Initially, Russian authorities said the crash was caused by a bird collision, but this is now being questioned. The black box from the crash has been recovered, and its analysis will be important in understanding what happened.