Azerbaijani official says for the first time that plane crash was caused by weapon

Source: Azerbaijani Press Agency

Azerbaijani Digital Development and Transport Minister Rashad Nabiyev said Friday that the December 25 Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash occurred as a result of external interference, according to the Azerbaijani Press Agency. His statement marks the first time an Azerbaijani official has publicly mentioned external factors causing the crash.

Injured passengers and surviving flight attendants reported hearing an explosion while flying over Grozny. One flight attendant even sustained an arm injury. Social media posts and video footage released by the media show a woman with injuries to her arm and leg. There were also visible puncture holes in the plane’s wing. Inside the plane and on the fuselage, there was damage from various cutting tools. Russian nationals among the injured also reported hearing three explosions over Grozny. According to them, the explosions came from outside, followed by something hitting the plane.

Nabiyev told journalists that initial reports suggested a bird strike may have caused the crash. However, the wreckage on the ground and eyewitness accounts point to external influence, he said. “The investigation will determine which weapon was used in this interference,” he added.

Kazakhstani officials have referred to a claim made by a dispatcher in Rostov, who suggested that the explosion was caused by an oxygen tank. We believe that this information must first be verified, as it comes from an interested party. Given the facts contradicting this, I would like to emphasize that the sounds of explosions were heard from the outside.

the Azerbaijan Airlines crash

Why is it
important
to support
Meduza
now?Read here