An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 aircraft crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday, resulting in 38 fatalities out of the 67 people onboard.
The incident, initially attributed to a bird strike and emergency landing, has taken a controversial turn as investigators explore the possibility of a missile strike.
The flight, originating from Baku, Azerbaijan, and bound for Grozny, Russia, was diverted due to poor weather conditions.
According to Azerbaijan Airlines, the plane attempted an emergency landing after colliding with birds.
However, survivors described hearing a loud explosion mid-air and witnessing shrapnel damage to the aircraft.
Reports close to the inquiry suggest the damage aligns with that caused by a surface-to-air missile.
A report by a Russian military blogger also raised the possibility of an accidental missile launch.
The crash claimed the lives of citizens from Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are yet to confirm the exact cause of the tragedy.
