Kazakhstan still awaiting foreign lab data before final AZAL crash findings

Kazakhstan has yet to receive results from two foreign laboratories examining evidence linked to the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft near Aktau, delaying the publication of the final investigation report, officials said.

Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev said the outstanding analyses were part of an agreed process involving both Azerbaijan and Russia, with materials ultimately transferred to international experts. He said no timeframe has been set for when the findings will be delivered.

Investigators have previously confirmed that key aircraft components, including an avionics module, were sent for specialist examination to the U.S.-based manufacturer Honeywell International as part of efforts to determine the cause of the crash.

The Embraer 190, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines and travelling from Baku to Grozny, went down on 25 December 2024 near the Caspian Sea port city of Aktau with 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members. Thirty-eight people were killed, while 29 survived and were taken to hospitals in the region.

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The incident has drawn wider attention due to reported damage sustained while the aircraft was transiting Russian airspace, an issue that has contributed to diplomatic strain and remains under review as the investigation continues.

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