Defense minister cancels trip after Turkish helicopter crash

Defense Minister Fikri Işık has cancelled overseas visits following a helicopter crash in southeast Turkey that left 13 soldiers martyred, a ministry official said Thursday.

The crash happened late Wednesday when a AS 532 Cougar helicopter hit power lines shortly after take-off from a base at Senoba in the Uludere district of Sirnak province.

Işık had been due to visit Singapore on Friday for an Asia security summit before travelling to Malaysia and Afghanistan, the official said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Around 30 defense ministers, including U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis are due to attend the Singapore meeting.

Among those killed in the crash was Maj. Gen. Aydogan Aydi, whose family was visited by Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

Işık and Gen. Hulusi Akar, chief of the General Staff, were among those who travelled to the crash site, including Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Şimşek and Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu.