Turkeyโs Defence Ministry confirmed that 20 soldiers were killed when a Turkish military aircraft crashed in Georgia on Tuesday, marking the countryโs deadliest military incident since 2020.
The C-130 cargo plane had departed from Azerbaijan en route to Turkey when it went down in the Sighnaghu municipality of Georgiaโs Kakheti district. Investigators from both Turkey and Georgia arrived at the site on Wednesday to examine the wreckage and determine the cause of the crash.
Initial footage from the scene showed twisted metal scattered across a grassy area, while unverified social media clips suggested the plane broke apart in mid-air before crashing in flames.
Ankara has not yet disclosed an official cause for the accident, leaving questions about what led to the tragedy. The Turkish Defence Ministry also released the names of the 20 soldiers who lost their lives.
International leaders and organizations have expressed condolences. The leaders of Azerbaijan and Georgia, along with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, offered their sympathies, and U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack expressed solidarity on behalf of the United States.
Turkish Defence Minister Yaลar Gรผler held discussions with Georgian and Azerbaijani counterparts, as well as Azerbaijanโs chief of staff, to coordinate search and rescue efforts.
The aircraft involved was a C-130 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop military transport plane widely used by air forces globally. Known for its versatility, the C-130 can transport cargo, troops, and equipment, operate from unprepared runways, and perform roles including airborne assault, reconnaissance, and even as a gunship.
Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the C-130, issued condolences and stated its commitment to assisting Turkey in any way possible during the ongoing investigation.
The crash has drawn attention to the critical role of the C-130 in military logistics and operations worldwide, highlighting both its capabilities and the risks inherent in military aviation. As investigations continue, Turkish and Georgian authorities are working to piece together the events that led to the catastrophic loss of life, while the international community mourns the fallen soldiers.
