AZAL Plane Crash: December 2025 Government Briefing Synopsis

On December 25, 2024, A briefing was held in Aqtau on the tragic AZAL plane crash. 

Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, Minister of Emergency Situations Chingis Arinov, and Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev spoke at the briefing.

Orda.kz has compiled the key statements that were made.

The briefing began with a moment of silence. 

Kanat Bozumbayev subsequently provided the latest updates on the crash.

According to the deputy prime minister, 38 people lost their lives, including six Kazakhstanis.

Why Aqtau?

Transport Minister Marat Karabayev reported that the flight recorder had been found at the crash site and collected as evidence. The Ministry of Transport added that the aircraft had requested entry into Kazakhstan's airspace at 11:02 AM.

Communication with the crew was lost at 11:28 AM, and by 11:37 AM, the plane had collided with the ground.

Deputy Minister of Transport Talgat Lastayev clarified that the crash was not near a populated area:

After entering Kazakhstan's airspace, the plane made two turns in the airport area. On the third turn, it collided with the ground. There were no residential buildings nearby. It is difficult to determine the preliminary cause of the incident. Expertise is needed.

It was also confirmed that the crew had instructed passengers to fasten their seatbelts, as reported by investigative authorities.

Bozumbayev shared that tents had been set up on-site for additional needs and that while some bodies could be identified, others could not due to their condition:

The bodies were collected and packed on site. Some can be identified, some cannot. You can't imagine what condition they are in.

Unexplained Damage

Kanat Bozumbayev addressed a video showing damage to the plane's tail section. There have been suggestions that the damage is from missile shrapnel.

He stated that forensic and civil aviation experts were on-site conducting a thorough investigation:

As part of the criminal case, examinations will be conducted in cooperation with neighboring states. I dare not make premature statements. Even preliminary conclusions are impossible. There are specialists conducting the necessary work and examinations. For now, I cannot say anything without evidence.

Bozumbayev also noted that parts of the plane were scattered over a distance of about 500 meters:

I saw the plane and the wreckage lying 500 meters apart. Many things could have happened while it hit the ground and was turning over. I am not jumping to conclusions. Let's let the experts do their job. The entire investigation is under the jurisdiction of Kazakhstan and under the strict control of the Prosecutor General's Office. The relevant instructions were given by the Head of State.

Emergency Landing Request

Bozumbayev explained that the crew requested a landing in Kazakhstan:

At around 11:30, the plane collided with the ground. Before that, it was flying toward Grozny. The nearest airports, such as Rostov, requested that Kazavianaviatsia accept the plane. The emergency landing request was due to an engine issue caused by a bird strike. This was communicated to the dispatcher.

He emphasized that the aircraft commander decides about landing:

The commander requests weather data from the dispatcher at the nearest airports, after which he makes a decision about landing. Now, all the conversations and data from the black box will be analyzed to determine the exact circumstances of the disaster.

Investigation

An investigation is underway under Article 344, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

It concerns violating safety regulations during vehicle operations, resulting in death. 

Investigators, forensic experts, and aviation specialists are on-site, and witnesses are being questioned.

Necessary examinations have been ordered.

The operational investigative group is taking the necessary actions. The scene of the incident has been secured, and all necessary examinations have been ordered. Police officers are on the ground, reported Vice Minister of Internal Affairs Sanjar Adilov.

Bozumbayev emphasized that the investigation is being conducted solely by Kazakhstan's law enforcement agencies, with specialists from other countries able to participate if needed.

Original Authors: Dinara Bekbolaeva, Olga Ibraeva, Ilya Astakhov, Anastasia Prilepskaya