A tragic plane crash in Kazakhstan has resulted in the deaths of 38 people, including both pilots, while 29 passengers managed to survive.

The Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190, carrying 67 passengers and crew, was en route from Baku to Grozny when it made an emergency landing near Aktau due to adverse weather conditions.

A video from the Associated Press captured passengers being rescued from the back section of the plane, an area generally considered to be safer during a crash. A 2015 analysis by Time magazine of U.S. federal data from 1985 to 2000 revealed that the fatality rate in the rear seats was 32%, lower than the 39% rate for middle seats and 38% for front seats. Interestingly, the back-middle seats had the lowest fatality rate at 28%.

Samir Rzayev, the airline’s president, praised the pilots for their “heroism,” emphasizing their unwavering commitment to saving lives. He stated, “Despite the tremendous loss, the crew’s bravery and focus on human life until the end has made them heroes in the eyes of history,” as reported by Azerbaijan’s news agency.

The pilots had accumulated over 15,000 flight hours, and the aircraft had recently passed a technical inspection.

While investigations are still ongoing, early reports suggest the plane may have been struck by a Russian anti-missile system. Some experts have pointed to signs of shrapnel damage to the aircraft’s elevator and rudder controls. However, Russian officials have denied any involvement, and the true cause of the crash remains uncertain.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has urged against premature speculation until the investigation yields its results.

The crash has raised concerns about aviation safety in the region, especially amidst heightened military activity. In recent weeks, Ukrainian drones have targeted Grozny, and there were reports of drone strikes in the North Caucasus Federal District on the same day as the crash.

Authorities continue to investigate the cause, with the plane’s black box having been recovered for analysis according to international aviation protocols.