The Turkish Ministry of National Defense has confirmed the tragic loss of 20 military personnel following the crash of a C-130 cargo aircraft in eastern Georgia on Tuesday, November 11. The aircraft had departed from Ganja Airport in western Azerbaijan and was en route to Turkey when it went down shortly after crossing the Georgian border.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Defense Minister Yasar Güler expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing the fallen as “heroic comrades-in-arms” and sharing photographs of the deceased on social media.
The crash marks Turkey’s deadliest military aviation disaster since 2020. Eyewitness footage circulating in Azerbaijani media showed the aircraft spinning horizontally before impact, followed by a plume of black smoke rising from the crash site.
The wreckage was located in Georgia’s Sighnaghi municipality, near the Azerbaijan border. Turkish and Georgian authorities have launched a joint investigation to determine the cause of the crash. As of Wednesday morning, search and inspection teams were on-site, combing through debris and collecting evidence.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan extended condolences to the families of the victims and affirmed Turkey’s commitment to uncovering the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. “We are working closely with Georgian officials to reach the wreckage and ensure a thorough investigation,” he stated.