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Plane that crashed in Kazakhstan suffered damage outside of country — deputy PM

It is reported that the law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan will conduct ballistic and explosive ordnance examinations

ASTANA, December 28. /TASS/. The Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane that crashed in Kazakhstan had suffered damage outside of the country, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev told the Tengrinews agency.

"As of this time, according to preliminary data, experts have concluded that the airliner was damaged outside the airspace of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In this context, the investigative task force has commissioned a variety of examinations. Forensic and histological examinations were commissioned earlier. And molecular-genetic examination was also commissioned," he said.

According to the official, as part of the investigation, the law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan will conduct ballistic and explosive ordnance examinations.

"That means they will look into when and why the explosion happened. The examination should give us clear answers. Following the examinations, we will inform members of the public both in Kazakhstan and worldwide. During the investigation we will let people know all the circumstances, while being guided by international rules and norms," he said.

The Kazakh government’s commission investigating the plane crash enlisted the help of 17 international experts, including two from Russia, according to the deputy prime minister.

"A total of 17 international experts will be at work. The commission will work transparently and openly so that no one has any doubts," he said.

According to the official, the team includes two experts from Russia, representatives of Azerbaijan and the aircraft manufacturer, specialists from the Center for the Investigation and Prevention of Aviation Accidents of Brazil, the Interstate Aviation Committee and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

The Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 headed from Baku to Grozny crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on December 25. The aircraft carried 67 people, including 62 passengers and five crew members. They were primarily citizens of Azerbaijan, as well as nationals of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. According to the latest data, 38 people, including seven Russians, lost their lives, while 29 others survived. Nine Russian survivors were taken to hospitals in Russia.

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