ASTANA, December 25. /TASS/. A passenger plane has crashed near Kazakhstan's Aktau, a fire has broken out at the crash site, the Emergencies Ministry reported.

According to preliminary information, there are survivors.

TASS has compiled the main information about the incident.

Circumstances of accident

- A passenger plane has crashed near Aktau in Kazakhstan; a fire has broken out at the crash site.

- The plane headed from Azerbaijan's Baku to Russia's Grozny.

- According to Chechnya's airport, the plane was diverted to Makhachkala due to heavy fog.

- The Kazakh Transport Ministry said that the plane belonged to Azerbaijan Airlines.

- In turn, the airline said that the reason for the accident could have been the collision of the plane with a flock of birds.

- A total of 52 firefighters from the Kazakh Emergencies Ministry and 11 items of equipment are extinguishing the fire that occurred at the crash site.

- An operational headquarters has been set up.

Information about survivors

- Kazakh Health Minister Aqmaral Alnazarova said that there were six survivors.

- The Kazinform news agency, citing the regional health administration, reported that 12 people had been evacuated from the crash site, including a child. They were taken to hospital.

- Azerbaijan's APA news agency reported that, according to preliminary information, 67 passengers and five crew members were on board the crashed plane.

- Meanwhile, the Kazakh Transport Ministry said, citing the data from the Azerbaijani side, that 62 passengers and five crew members were on board the plane.

- The number of casualties in the crash is being clarified, the Russian embassy in Kazakhstan said on its Telegram channel.