An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer passenger jet crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 people and injuring 29 survivors.

The flight, originally bound for Russia, diverted across the Caspian Sea, reportedly due to poor weather, though the cause remains unclear.

Russia’s aviation authority suggested a possible bird strike, but experts questioned this.

The crash followed recent Ukrainian drone strikes on southern Russia, though Kyiv has not claimed responsibility.

Video showed the plane descending rapidly, bursting into flames on impact, with survivors escaping from wreckage, Reuters has reported.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev called for a full investigation into the tragedy.

Written by B.C. Begley