Kazakhstan says AZAL crash investigation near Aktau is nearing completion

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.

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