Daijiworld Media Network - Ankara

Ankara, Nov 12: In a tragic incident, Turkey’s Defence Ministry confirmed that 20 soldiers lost their lives when a C-130 military aircraft crashed in Georgia on Tuesday. The plane, which had taken off from Azerbaijan and was bound for Turkey, went down in Georgia’s Kakheti district, marking the nation’s deadliest military accident since 2020.

Authorities from both Turkey and Georgia began joint inspections at the crash site in the Sighnaghu municipality early Wednesday morning. Preliminary visuals from the site showed wreckage scattered across a grassy hill, while unverified footage circulating on social media appeared to show the aircraft breaking apart mid-air before spiraling to the ground in flames.

The Defence Ministry has released the names of all 20 soldiers who perished in the crash. Defence Minister Yasar Guler has spoken with his counterparts in Georgia and Azerbaijan, as well as Azerbaijan’s chief of staff, to coordinate search and rescue efforts and the ongoing investigation.

World leaders, including those of Azerbaijan and Georgia, along with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, have extended condolences to Turkey. U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack also expressed solidarity with Ankara during this period of mourning.

Lockheed Martin, the U.S.-based manufacturer of the C-130 Hercules aircraft, offered its condolences and assured full cooperation in the investigation. The C-130, a four-engine turboprop aircraft, is widely used for transporting troops, cargo, and equipment and is known for its ability to operate from unprepared runways. Its design also allows for deployment in various combat and reconnaissance roles, making it a key tactical airlifter for many armed forces worldwide.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash.