A tragic incident has occurred involving a Turkish military cargo aircraft, specifically a C-130, which crashed on the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan. The plane was reportedly en route from Azerbaijan back to Türkiye when the accident took place on Tuesday. The Turkish Defense Ministry has confirmed that there were 20 military personnel on board, including the flight crew. In the wake of this disaster, joint search and rescue operations are being coordinated among Turkish, Azerbaijani, and Georgian authorities to locate the wreckage and assist any survivors.

In a statement released by the Turkish Defense Ministry, it was mentioned that authorities quickly launched search and rescue efforts. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan expressed condolences, indicating that the news of the crash deeply affected the nation. He extended his sympathy to the families of those involved, acknowledging the loss and expressing solidarity during this challenging time.

Additionally, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the matter at an event in Ankara, confirming the crash and emphasizing that efforts to reach the wreckage are ongoing in collaboration with allied nations. He prayed for the souls of the servicemen onboard, referring to them as martyrs. Despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the crash, the exact number of fatalities remains unverified at this moment.

Reports from the Georgian Air Navigation Authority revealed that radar contact was lost just a few minutes after the aircraft entered Georgian airspace, further complicating the situation for rescue teams. The international community is closely monitoring the developments of this incident, with updates expected as search efforts continue.

As the investigation unfolds, more information regarding the incident and any potential casualties will likely be released, highlighting the urgency for both immediate response and future safety evaluations of military aviation operations in the region.