Ilham Aliyev said the jet was not shot down deliberately, but accused Russia of trying to ‘hush up’ the issue for several days.

Two crew members on board the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 survived the crash after the aircraft’s landing gear is believed to have malfunctioned.

The death toll is expected to rise as the rest of those on board the plane remain missing about six hours after the incident in Muan.