ALMATY, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The final report on the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane crash near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan, will be released by December of this year, said Vice Minister of Transport Talgat Lastayev at a briefing on Wednesday, as reported by the country's Kazinform news agency.
"Based on the guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an investigation should be completed within one year. Accordingly, the final report on the investigation will be released by December this year," Lastayev said.
He also revealed the country's plans to establish a specialized Transport Accident Investigation Center by the end of the year to involve skilled professionals and acquire the necessary equipment.
Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, traveling from Baku to Grozny, crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Dec. 25, 2024, with 62 passengers and five crew members on board. Thirty-eight people were killed in the crash, while 29 were rescued, according to Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations. ■
