Musalia Mudavadi expresses solidarity with Azerbaijan following tragic air crash

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has expressed deep sympathy and support for the people of the Republic of Azerbaijan following the Wednesday, December 25, 2024, tragic air crash near Aktau, Kazakhsta.

In a statement on Thursday, December 26, 2024, the Prime CS conveyed a heartfelt message of solidarity on behalf of the Kenyan people.

Condoling the grieving families, Mudavadi further extended thoughts and prayers to the people of Azerbaijan, urging the plane crash survivors to remain steadfast as they navigate the difficult process of recovery.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with the people of Azerbaijan following the tragic air crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25, 2024. The Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, en route from Baku to Grozny, met with a heartbreaking accident, claiming the lives of 38 individuals and leaving 29 survivors injured.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and stand in solidarity with all those affected. To the survivors and crew members, we wish a swift and complete recovery. May strength and comfort find their way to all during this deeply challenging time,” Mudavadi stated.

Our thoughts and sympathies are with the people of Azerbaijan following the tragic air crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25, 2024. The Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, en route from Baku to Grozny, met with a heartbreaking accident, claiming the lives of 38 individuals…

— Musalia W Mudavadi (@MusaliaMudavadi) December 26, 2024

Azerbaijan Airlines crash

According to Kazakh authorities, an Azerbaijani airliner carrying 67 people crashed in southwestern Kazakhstan killing at least 38 who were on board while 29 survivors including two children were pulled from the wreckage during the rescue operation.

Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 was travelling from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to Grozny in the Russian region of Chechnya before it made an emergency landing approximately 3 kilometres (1.8 miles) from Aktau, the carrier said.

It took off from the Azerbaijani capital Baku at 03:55 GMT which is equivalent to 06:55 EAT on Wednesday, December 25 and crashed around 06:28 (09:28 EAT), data from flight-tracking website Flightradar24 showed.

Those on board were mostly Azerbaijani nationals, but there were also some passengers from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Following the tragic incident, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, declared a day of national mourning for December 26, Azerbaijani state media reported.