MOSCOW: An Azerbaijani Airlines plane crashed while landing in the Kazakh city of Aktau today. The plane broke into two parts and the front part of the plane was destroyed in the explosion. A total of 67 people were on board, including five crew members. Officials said 38 people, including two pilots, were killed in the crash, while at least 29 survivors were taken to hospital. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who was on a visit to St. Petersburg, returned to the crash site. Aliyev expressed his condolences to the families of those killed in the accident and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Aliyev to express his condolences. Authorities in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have launched investigations into the crash. Azerbaijan has declared one day of national mourning. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations said in a statement on Telegram that in addition to the passengers, five crew members were also on board the plane.