President Tokayev Honors Brave Kazakh Citizens after AZAL Plane Crash in Aktau
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan recently honored several citizens for their bravery, professionalism, and civic responsibility in rescuing passengers from an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane crash in the Mangystau Region on Dec. 25. The awards were presented to individuals from various organizations including the Ministry of Emergency Situations, doctors, police officers, employees of the Mangystau Regional Electric Grid Company, and personnel of the Aktau International Airport.
Among the awardees were Aibek Alibayev, a forensic scientist of the Police Department of the Mangystau Region, who received the Aibyn (Valor) Order of the second degree named after Bauyrzhan Momyshuly. Serikbolat Ongar, commander of the fire department No. 12 of the region’s Baskudyk village, was awarded the Aibyn Order of the third degree named after Rakhimzhan Koshkarbayev.
Additionally, Bakytzhan Koybekov, head of the Mangystau Regional Multidisciplinary Hospital, Irina Kochergina, head of the medical center of the Aktau International Airport, Timur Kisayev, paramedic of the Mangystau regional station of emergency, Ospan Orazbekov, urgent medical care doctor of the Center for Disaster Medicine of the Mangystau Region, Yaroslav Tolstikov, dispatcher of the Aktau branch of Kazaeronavigation, and Nuraly Chopanov, master of the Mangystau Regional Electric Grid Company were all recognized with medals and awards for their courageous efforts.
President Tokayev also awarded the Yeren Yenbegi Ushin (For Distinguished Labor) medal to Bekbolat Dzhumagulov, deputy head of the Aktau International Airport service, and Yeldar Urazaliyev, a staff member of the Forensic Expertise Center of the Mangystau Region. In total, fifty-one individuals received the Gratitude of the President for their exemplary actions during the rescue operation.
President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, expressed his gratitude and admiration for the solidarity and compassion shown by the Kazakh citizens following the tragic plane crash. The collaborative efforts and swift response of these individuals undoubtedly saved lives and deserve to be commended.
