AZAL plane crashes near Aktau, killing 38

An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 flying from Baku to Grozny crashed while attempting an emergency landing near Aktau in Kazakhstan. There were 67 people on board; 38 were killed and 29 survived.

The plane was unable to land in Grozny because of fog and was diverted. Numerous holes are visible on fragments of the fuselage.

A number of aviation experts and sources in Azerbaijan suggest the airliner may have been damaged by Russian air defences during a drone attack on Grozny. The official investigation continues.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared 26 December a day of mourning. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan offered condolences.