Plane with 67 passengers crashes in Kazakhstan, 25 survivors rescued, 42 feared dead | VIDEO

A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan on Wednesday after making an emergency landing request. The flight, en route from Baku to Grozny, was carrying 67 passengers and 5 crew members.

Kazakhstan's emergency ministry has confirmed that 42 people are likely dead. The ministry released a Telegram statement on Wednesday, stating that of the 67 people on board, 25 have survived the crash, according to preliminary assessments. Of the survivors, 22 have been hospitalised. Earlier, the regional health ministry reported that 14 survivors had been taken to the regional hospital, including five in intensive care.

The crash occurred after the Embraer 190, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, attempted an emergency landing about three kilometers from Aktau, an oil and gas hub on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea.

Initial reports suggest that the plane made the emergency landing attempt when it suddenly crashed and burst into a ball of fire. The intense flames and explosion occurred shortly after the aircraft descended toward the airport.

The country’s emergencies ministry confirmed that personnel were on site, working to extinguish the fire.