Survivors Describe Bangs Before Azerbaijani Plane Crash

Passengers and crew from Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243, which crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 people, have detailed harrowing moments before the disaster. Survivors recalled hearing loud bangs that shook the aircraft as it diverted from its original destination, Grozny, Russia, due to fog.

Subhonkul Rakhimov, a passenger, described the plane as feeling "drunk" after a loud explosion, while Vafa Shabanova mentioned a second bang and a flight attendant urging passengers to move to the rear. Crew member Zulfugar Asadov reported three bangs near the left wing, followed by depressurization and debris hitting him.

The crash occurred near Russian air defense zones used to intercept Ukrainian drones. Azerbaijan Airlines suggested "external interference" as a possible cause, suspending flights to Russian cities. Preliminary investigations indicate the plane may have been mistakenly shot down by Russian air defenses, though Moscow has urged waiting for conclusive findings.