Rescue teams reach wreckage of Turkish military plane in Georgia

Search and rescue teams have successfully reached the wreckage of a Turkish military transport aircraft that crashed near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border, Communications Director Burhanettin Duran confirmed Tuesday. The C-130 cargo plane was carrying twenty personnel, including flight crew members, when it went down during a mission originating from Azerbaijan, prompting extensive multinational search operations.

Presidential Monitoring and International Coordination

Duran revealed that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has received continuous real-time updates regarding search and rescue operations since the incident's initial reporting. The communications director noted the president has maintained direct contact with officials in both Georgia and Azerbaijan, underscoring the high-level coordination between Türkiye and its regional partners in responding to the aviation emergency in the strategically sensitive border area.

Safety Measures and Investigation Preparations

The rescue teams have implemented necessary safety protocols while conducting operations with extreme care at the crash site. Duran emphasized that comprehensive investigations into the cause of the military aircraft accident will be conducted meticulously once initial recovery operations conclude. The wreckage has been secured to facilitate examination by Türkiye's specialized aviation accident investigation team, which will analyze the circumstances surrounding the C-130's fatal crash.

National Mourning and Condolences

The communications director expressed profound sorrow over the deaths of Turkish military personnel in the crash, acknowledging the nation's collective mourning. Duran extended condolences to the families of the deceased, stating, "May Allah have mercy on our heroic soldiers who became martyrs, and I wish patience to their families and loved ones. Our nation shares in this deep sorrow," reflecting the national significance of the military tragedy for Turkish citizens and leadership alike.