AZAL Plane Crash: Toqayev Presented Awards for Heroism, Aliyev Underscores Strengthening Ties

Qasym-Jomart Toqayev issued a decree recognizing the merits of doctors, rescuers, police officers, and other specialists who demonstrated courage and professionalism in rescuing passengers of the Azerbaijani plane that crashed in Aqtau, Orda.kz reports.

The following awards were presented:

Order "Aibyn" II degree named after Bauyrzhan Momyshuly - Aibek Alibayev, forensic expert of the Mangystau region police department.

Order "Aibyn" III degree named after Rakhimzhan Koshkarbayev - Serikbolat Ongar, captain of fire department No. 12 in the village of Baskudyk.

Order of "Qurmet" - Bakytzhan Koybekov, head of the center of the multidisciplinary regional hospital. Irina Kochergina, head of the medical center of the Aqtau international airport.

“Yerligi Ushin” medals were received by:

Timur Kisayev, a paramedic at the regional ambulance station; Ospan Orazbekov, a doctor at the disaster medicine center; Yaroslav Tolstikov, a dispatcher at the Kazaeronavigatsia branch; and Nuraly Chopanov, foreman of the regional electric grid company.

“Yeren Enbegi Ushin” medals were awarded to:

Bekbolat Dzhumagulov, Deputy Head of the Aqtau International Airport Service. Yeldar Urazaliyev, specialist at the forensic examination center.

The President expressed gratitude to 51 others.

Meanwhile, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev noted first responders' courage:

We knew and received information that immediately after the incident, Kazakh rescuers promptly arrived at the crash site and began to extract people from the destroyed fuselage. They risked their lives even though they didn't know if the next explosion would happen or not. Part of the plane was on fire, and another part could catch fire. But despite this, they showed true heroism, the Azerbaijani president said. 

He also thanked the Kazakhstani doctors:

Also, the work of the medical staff was highly appreciated. The injured passengers were immediately taken to medical facilities. I also expressed my gratitude to President Toqayev for this, said Ilham Aliyev.

The President of Azerbaijan warmly expressed his support to the people of Kazakhstan.

The solidarity of our Kazakhstani brothers and sisters, as I know, has left a deep mark in the hearts of the Azerbaijani people. Ordinary citizens came to our consulate to lay flowers, express their attitude and solidarity with us. That's what true friendship and brotherhood are, he stressed.

Aliyev expressed condolences to President Toqayev as six citizens of Kazakhstan died. The President of Kazakhstan also expressed his condolences to the head of Azerbaijan. 

Despite how tragic this event is, it was also a test. A test of how each side will perform in this situation. I am glad that, despite this tragedy, I see and am sure that the same opinion is held in Kazakhstan. Our friendship and brotherhood have become even stronger after this ordeal,  Ilham Aliyev said.