News
Azerbaijan Airlines Crash in Kazakhstan Sparks External Attack Allegations
New evidence suggests the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 aircraft that crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25, killing 38 people, may have been the target of an external attack.
Photos released by Azerbaijani media outlet AnewZ reveal shrapnel marks on the plane’s fuselage, raising suspicions of a mid-air assault. The aircraft, en route from Baku to Grozny, Russia, was diverted before crashing in Kazakhstan. An international investigation into the crash’s causes is ongoing, involving experts from Brazil, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia.
International Investigation Underway
The Brazilian Air Force, responsible for analyzing the plane’s black box data, confirmed that nine foreign investigators are collaborating with its experts at the Air Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center in Brasília. Analysis of the cockpit voice and flight data recorders is expected to shed light on the crash’s final moments.
Azerbaijan Accuses Russia
Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev, alleged the aircraft was struck by fire from the ground over Russia, possibly rendered uncontrollable by electronic warfare. He criticized Moscow for attempting to “hush up” the incident and expressed dissatisfaction with the explanations provided by Russian officials.
Aliyev’s accusations gained traction following reports that the crash coincided with Russian air defense operations near Grozny, allegedly targeting a Ukrainian drone strike.
Putin Apologizes, Stops Short of Admitting Responsibility
Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an apology to Aliyev, describing the crash as a “tragic incident.” However, the Kremlin has not acknowledged responsibility. Officials confirmed that air defense systems were active near Grozny at the time, reportedly to counter a Ukrainian drone attack.
Mounting Allegations
Claims that the aircraft was shot down by Russian air defenses have fueled tensions. The Kremlin’s admission of nearby military activity has done little to quell speculation, as investigators seek to determine whether shrapnel found on the plane is consistent with missile strikes or other external factors.
The crash adds strain to already fraught relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, with both countries demanding accountability.
As investigators analyze the black box data, the international aviation community watches closely, awaiting clarity on the incident’s cause. Meanwhile, the tragedy remains a poignant reminder of the volatility in regions affected by ongoing geopolitical tensions.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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