Ankara — Türkiye’s Defence Ministry confirmed on Wednesday that 20 Turkish soldiers lost their lives after a C-130 military aircraft crashed in Georgia on Tuesday while en route from Azerbaijan to Türkiye. The tragic crash marks the deadliest military aviation disaster for Türkiye since 2020.
According to officials, Turkish and Georgian authorities began their joint inspection at the crash site in Sighnaghu municipality, Kakheti district, early Wednesday morning around 03:30 GMT.
Footage from the scene showed wreckage scattered across a grassy area, while unverified videos on social media appeared to show the aircraft breaking apart mid-air before spiraling down in flames.
The Turkish Defence Ministry released the names of the 20 fallen soldiers, while condolences poured in from Azerbaijan’s and Georgia’s leaders, as well as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack also expressed Washington’s solidarity with Türkiye during this difficult time.
Defence Minister Yasar Guler has spoken with his Georgian and Azerbaijani counterparts to coordinate ongoing search and rescue operations.
Lockheed Martin, the U.S. manufacturer of the C-130 Hercules aircraft, extended condolences and pledged to assist Türkiye in the investigation. The C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft widely used worldwide for carrying troops, cargo, and equipment. It can operate from unprepared runways and has been adapted for various missions, including gunship, airborne assault, and reconnaissance roles, making it a key tactical airlifter for many armed forces globally.
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