Video verified by Reuters news agency shows the plane heading towards the ground at high speed, with its landing gear down.

Seconds after it seems to attempt to land, a huge fireball erupts.

There were 62 passengers and 5 crew members on board the Embraer 190 aircraft, the transport ministry reported.

Those on board were mostly Azerbaijani nationals, but there were also some passengers from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Aktau airport is open and operating normally, authorities said.

The BBC has contacted Azerbaijan Airlines and Embraer for comment.