A passenger aboard Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 sent a heart-stopping video to his wife just minutes before the plane tragically crashed near Aktau airport in Kazakhstan on Wednesday. The flight, en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, had been diverted due to heavy fog in Grozny and was attempting an emergency landing when the disaster occurred.

The disturbing footage, which has since surfaced online, shows passengers in distress, praying as oxygen masks dangle from the ceiling of the aircraft. The video captures the tense atmosphere just before the Embraer EMB 190 aircraft went down. The plane, which had requested an emergency landing, had been circling over Aktau airport, awaiting clearance when it fell.

Reports indicate that approximately 70 people were on board at the time of the crash. The aircraft, struggling to land after circling the airport, reportedly lost altitude during the emergency landing attempt and broke apart upon impact. Dramatic videos posted on social media reveal the wreckage engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky.

In the wake of the crash, emergency crews rushed to the site, where survivors were pulled from the wreckage. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed that 14 survivors had been rescued and taken to a regional hospital, with five in intensive care. However, early reports indicate that up to 42 people are feared dead.

Good news: The man who sent the chilling video to his wife survived the crash. According to his wife, he is being treated for a wound to his face and is currently receiving medical care.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with more than 50 personnel on-site working to extinguish the fire and retrieve the victims. Investigations are also underway to determine the exact cause of the crash. Preliminary reports suggest a possible bird strike, but officials have not yet confirmed this as the cause.

As the investigation continues, the tragic event has sparked renewed concerns about aviation safety, particularly during emergencies. The international community is mourning the loss of lives and waiting for answers that may help prevent such incidents in the future.