TBILISI, Georgia – A Turkish military cargo plane crashed on Tuesday near the Azerbaijani-Georgian border, resulting in the deaths of all 20 personnel on board, according to the Turkish Ministry of Defense.
The C-130 military transport aircraft crashed in the Georgian municipality of Sighnaghi. The plane was en route to Turkey after taking off from Ganja in western Azerbaijan. Georgian search and rescue teams recovered the bodies of the deceased.
Turkish authorities released the names and photos of the 20 military members, extending condolences to their families. They stated that the cause of the crash would be determined following a thorough examination of the wreckage by a Turkish investigation team.
Eyewitness footage captured the plane spiraling downwards, leaving a white trail before crashing and emitting thick black smoke. The video appeared to show parts of the aircraft disintegrating during its descent.
The Georgian Civil Aviation Authority reported that contact with the aircraft was lost shortly after it entered Georgian airspace. No distress call was issued by the plane.
Lockheed Martin, the American manufacturer of the C-130, a widely used aircraft by air forces worldwide, expressed its condolences and pledged its support to Turkey in the investigation.
The C-130 is designed for transporting cargo, troops, and equipment. It is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft capable of taking off and landing on unpaved runways. Its versatile design allows it to be used for various purposes, including combat, air assault, and reconnaissance operations. It remains a prominent tactical air transport aircraft used by numerous militaries.
This is a developing story. Stay with DZWatch for updates.
