At Least 15 Killed And 60 Injured As Plane Crashes In Kazakhstan

A plane has crashed in Kazakhstan, killing at least 15 people and injuring at least 60 more.

The Bek Air plane went down shortly after taking off from Almaty airport at around 7.20am on Friday morning (local time), smashing into concrete fencing and a two-storey building.

A full list of passengers published by Kazakhstan's interior ministry indicated there were 85 adults, five children and three infants on board, while the airport confirmed there were five crew members on the Fokker 100 aircraft.

Flight Z92100 was en route from Almaty - the country's largest city - to the capital Nur-Sultan (formerly known as Astana).

The cause of the crash is not yet known, though accounts from passengers on board the flight suggest the plane started shaking shortly after take off.

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Passenger Gulnara Koshenova said: "We started to gain height, then there was a strong shake, and in the end the crash.

"Everything began to shake and fall, there were screams. Someone broke the emergency exit and we ran out."

Another passenger, who was not named, said: "It took off and there was a scary sound then it descended again and fell on the side.

"It was like in a movie: rattling, screaming... I was in such a state, I thought it was the end, then there was a crash and a terrible roar.

"And right in front of me, I was on the 13th row, and up to the 12th row fell some iron object.

"There was no way out. Someone shouted: 'Get out!' I did not know where to go, I lost the ability to speak.

"Someone showed where to go. I was sitting next to the wing and there was an emergency exit. I went out, stepped on the wing, jumped, fell down."

Footage taken at the scene of the crash has been circulating on social media, and in one video, a woman can be heard pleading for an ambulance as firefighters scour the debris.

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the crash and Kazakhstan president, Qasym-Jomart Toqayev, said those responsible 'will be severely punished'.

In a tweet, he said: "I express my deep condolences to the families and friends of the deceased citizens when the plane crashed near Almaty this morning, December 27.

"The victims will be helped. A government commission has been created led by A. Mamin. All those guilty will be severely punished in accordance with the law."

Topics: World News, News

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey