Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev says the investigation into the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash near Aktau is in its final stage, with officials awaiting reports from foreign aviation authorities before closing the case.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport is close to completing its investigation into the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane crash that occurred near the city of Aktau on 25 December 2024.
Speaking to journalists, Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev said the probe into the tragedy has been divided into two parts — a criminal investigation led by the Prosecutor General’s Office and a technical one under the Ministry of Transport.
“The Ministry of Transport has already approached the final stage of its investigation. Specialists are now waiting for conclusions from foreign licensing bodies — the owners of technologies and equipment, including aeronautical systems. Once these documents are received, the ministry will be ready to complete its part of the investigation either by the end of this year or early next year,” Bozumbayev said.
He also noted that progress has been made on the criminal aspect of the case. “You have seen the statements made by leaders of neighbouring countries. Therefore, we hope that next year that part will also be concluded,” the deputy prime minister added.
The Embraer aircraft operated by AZAL was travelling from Baku to Grozny when it crashed near Aktau, killing 38 of the 67 people on board. Among the passengers were 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 16 of Russia, six of Kazakhstan and three of Kyrgyzstan, along with five crew members.
According to preliminary findings, the aircraft went down due to physical and technical external interference that occurred in Russian airspace over Grozny.
The U.S. military said on Wednesday it launched fresh strikes on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping, triggering Iranian attacks on Kuw...
The Aviators of Ganja explores how young Spanish volunteers travelled to Soviet-era Azerbaijan to train as military pilots before being drawn into the...
The South Caucasus is increasingly being viewed not only through the lens of past conflicts but also as a strategic bridge linking Europe, the Caspian...
The South Caucasus is increasingly being viewed not only through the lens of past conflicts but also as a strategic bridge linking Europe, the Caspian region and Central Asia. One analyst says this presents an opportunity for a new Euro-Atlantic approach focused on long-term regional cooperation.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), allowing Russian athletes to compete in many international events, including qualifying competitions for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gifted each NATO leader a revolver engraved with their name, along with ammunition at the alliance’s summit in Ankara.
Western Europe experienced its hottest June since records began in 2026, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). The record-breaking month brought extreme heat, widespread disruption and thousands of excess deaths across parts of the continent.
The U.S. says it has launched strikes on Iran after alleged attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington described the action as a response to threats against civilian shipping and a breach of the ceasefire.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran to end the conflict was "over", adding he did not want to engage with Tehran, calling the Iranian leadership "sick people".
NATO leaders are unveiling multi-billion-dollar arms deals in Ankara as President Donald Trump joins the summit, highlighting Europe's increased defence spending amid tensions over Russia and Iran, and following years of U.S. criticism of the alliance.
Typhoon Bavi churned southeast of Taiwan in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, its winds easing overnight to just shy of 200 kph (124 mph), as authorities urged residents to stock up on supplies and brace for what could be the most powerful typhoon since 2024.
Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO, has described fresh U.S. strikes on Iran as "absolutely necessary," in remarks at the start of the second day of the alliance's sumit in the Turkish capital Ankara.
This is the last of four articles in AnewZ's series examining how conservationists are working to protect and repair damage done to the Aral Sea which lies between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
This is the third of four articles in AnewZ's series examining how conservationists are working to protect and repair damage done to the Aral Sea which lies between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
This is the second of four articles in AnewZ's series examining how conservationists are working to protect and repair damage done to the Aral Sea which lies between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
The Aviators of Ganja explores how young Spanish volunteers travelled to Soviet-era Azerbaijan to train as military pilots before being drawn into the defining conflicts of the 20th century.
The South Caucasus is increasingly being viewed not only through the lens of past conflicts but also as a strategic bridge linking Europe, the Caspian region and Central Asia. One analyst says this presents an opportunity for a new Euro-Atlantic approach focused on long-term regional cooperation.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment