BAKU, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev extended deep condolences following a plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday.

"I offer my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane flying from Baku to Grozny. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured," Aliyev said in a social media post.

Aliyev, who was en route to Russia for a summit when informed of the crash, immediately instructed his return to Azerbaijan and ordered a full investigation. A high-level delegation from Azerbaijan has departed for Aktau to oversee the investigation.

Earlier, Azerbaijan's First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva also expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.

The Embraer 190 aircraft, operating flight J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny, made an emergency landing approximately three km from Aktau, said Azerbaijan Airlines. There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members.

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations has so far reported 28 survivors in the accident, with rescue ongoing. Enditem

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