The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) officially announced that a C130 military cargo plane, which had taken off from Azerbaijan bound for Türkiye crashed at the Georgia-Azerbaijan border. Immediately after the accident, coordinated search and rescue operations were launched with the authorities of Azerbaijan and Georgia.
20 Personnel on Board
In an additional statement regarding the accident, the Ministry of National Defense informed the public that a total of 20 personnel, including the flight crew, were on board the crashed C130 military cargo plane. The MSB emphasized that search and rescue efforts are continuing uninterrupted in full coordination with the authorities of both neighboring countries.
President Erdoğan: We Learned with Deep Sorrow
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his deep sorrow regarding the military cargo plane that crashed at the Georgia-Azerbaijan border. In his statement, President Erdoğan said: “Today, we learned with deep sorrow that our C130 military plane, en route from Azerbaijan to our country, crashed at the Georgia-Azerbaijan border. We continue our coordinated efforts with the national authorities regarding the operations to reach the wreckage. God willing, we will get through this accident with minimal loss. May God have mercy on our martyrs, and may we be with them in our prayers.”
Official Confirmation from Georgia: Crash Site and Investigation
The Georgian Ministry of Interior confirmed that the Turkish Air Force plane crashed in the Signagi region, 5 kilometers from the Azerbaijan border. The ministry stated that a wide-ranging investigation into the accident has been launched. The Georgian Air Navigation Administration also announced that the plane’s radar connection was lost shortly after entering Georgian airspace, and the aircraft did not send any emergency signal. The plane had departed from Ganja, Azerbaijan.
Condolences from Azerbaijani President Aliyev
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sent a message of condolences to President Erdoğan following the tragic news. Aliyev said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the crash of a Turkish Air Force military cargo plane that took off from Ganja and fell on Georgian territory, resulting in the loss of soldiers… On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I sincerely extend my condolences to you, the families and loved ones of the deceased, and to the brotherly people of Türkiye.”
Wreckage Reached, Efforts Continue
Minister of Interior of the Republic of Turkey Ali Yerlikaya stated in a post on his social media account that he continues to hold regular talks with Georgia’s Interior Minister Gela Geladze. According to the information he received from Minister Geladze, Minister Yerlikaya said that the wreckage of the C130 military cargo plane was reached around 5:00 PM and that search and rescue operations are ongoing.
