Kazakh Prime Minister leaves note in book of condolences at Azerbaijan's Embassy

Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov left a note in the book of condolences opened at the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Astana over the Azerbaijan Airlines’ Embraer 190 plane crash near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan, Kazinform News Agency cites the Government’s press service.

A minute of silence was observed at the Embassy. He expressed his deepest condolences on behalf of the Government of Kazakhstan and his own to the members of families and relatives of the crash victims.

As earlier reported, Azerbaijan declared national mourning on December 26.

As written before, the Kazakh Prime Minister extended condolences to the bereaved families of Kazakhstani nationals and tasked to render all-around support to all injured nationals of Azerbaijan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan. Necessary assistance will be provided to the relatives of the plane crash victims arriving in Aktau.

As earlier reported, the Azerbaijan Airlines plane, which was operating a flight en route Baku-Grozny, crashed Wednesday morning near Kazakhstan's Aktau city.

67 persons were onboard of the plane, including 62 passengers and five crew members. Unfortunately, 38 people died, 29 survived, said Kazakh Transport Minister Marat Karabayev during a briefing in Aktau.

Among the passengers were 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, of whom 23 died and 14 survived. All three Kyrgyzstani nationals survived. There were 16 Russian nationals, of whom seven died and nine survived. All six Kazakhstani nationals died.

Three crew members out of five survived.

The government commission headed by Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Kanat Bozumbayev began its work at the crash site of the plane.

As was reported, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov reported to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the current situation related to the passenger plane crash near Aktau.

Upon Kazakh President Tokayev’s instruction, an ambulance aircraft left Astana headed to Aktau.

It was reported that President Tokayev tasked to set up a state commission in connection with the plane crash.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev cut short his trip to Russia due to the plane crash.

Earlier, Kazinform News Agency presented the preliminary list of passengers onboard the crashed plane.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed his condolences to Azerbaijan’s President Aliyev following the incident.

It was previously informed Kazakh Emergency Situations Minister Chingis Arinov arrived in Aktau.