Tragic Plane Crash in Georgia Claims the Lives of 20 Turkish Military Personnel
A tragic incident unfolded when a Turkish military cargo plane crashed in Georgia, leaving no survivors. The plane, carrying 20 Turkish military personnel, was on its way from Azerbaijan to Turkey when it fell from the sky in Sighnaghi, Georgia, a municipality not far from the Azerbaijani border. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.
Victory Day Celebrations Turned Tragic
The soldiers aboard the ill-fated flight were part of a team that had traveled to Azerbaijan to participate in the country's Victory Day celebrations. The event marked the successful military campaign of Azerbaijan over Armenia in the dispute over the Karabakh region in 2020, a conflict that spanned almost four decades.
Investigation into the Crash
A team of Turkish investigators, consisting of 46 members, has arrived at the crash site and is working closely with Georgian authorities to inspect the wreckage. The plane's flight data recorder has been retrieved and is being examined to help determine the cause of the incident.
The crash site, a plain area consisting of farmlands and surrounded by hills, is scattered with debris from the aircraft across multiple locations. Efforts are ongoing to recover the remains of the victims. So far, the remains of 19 victims have been recovered, with search efforts still continuing for the remaining victim.
Tribute to the Fallen Heroes
In a heart-wrenching tribute, the Defense Minister honored the fallen soldiers, stating, "Our heroic comrades-in-arms were martyred when our military cargo plane, which had taken off from Azerbaijan en route to our country, crashed near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border." He also shared photographs of the military personnel who perished in the crash.
According to the Georgian aviation authority, contact was lost with the plane shortly after it entered Georgian airspace. Notably, no distress signal was issued from the plane.
The C-130 military cargo plane, which crashed, is commonly used by the Turkish armed forces for transporting personnel and logistical operations. The plane had been manufactured in 1968 and was initially used in Saudi Arabia before being added to the Turkish Armed Forces' inventory in 2010.
International Condolences Pour In
The crash elicited condolences from international figures. Azerbaijan's President and Georgia's Foreign Minister extended their sympathies to their Turkish counterparts. The U.S. Ambassador to Turkey also expressed his condolences and assured Turkey of Washington's solidarity. The NATO Secretary-General likewise expressed his condolences, paid tribute to the fallen military personnel, and thanked all NATO personnel for their service.
No information has been released regarding funeral arrangements or when the bodies will be returned to Turkey.
The aircraft was part of the 12th Air Base Command in central Turkey. It had departed from this location on Monday, flown to Azerbaijan to pick up personnel, and was en route to northern Turkey when the tragic incident occurred.