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- Turkish military cargo plane crash kills 20 soldiers (cbsnews.com)
Military Cargo Plane Crash Claims 20 Lives in Georgia
Tragedy struck on Tuesday as a Turkish military cargo plane crashed in neighboring Georgia, claiming the lives of all 20 soldiers on board. The C-130 Hercules aircraft was returning from Azerbaijan when communication was lost approximately 27 minutes into its flight back to Turkey.
Georgian Interior Minister Gela Geladze confirmed that 18 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, with search efforts continuing for the remaining two. Horrifying video footage circulating online and aired by Turkish media captured the plane’s tail breaking off mid-air before the large aircraft spun out of control and plummeted to the earth. Additional clips showed debris scattered across a Georgian farmland.
The Turkish Ministry of Defense released photographs of the 20 fallen servicemen on social media, accompanied by a poignant message: “We bury you in our hearts.”
Turkish officials are actively coordinating with Georgian and Azerbaijani authorities, and a specialized Turkish crash investigation team is already on the ground at the scene to conduct a detailed examination of the wreckage and determine the cause of the disaster.
Condolences and expressions of solidarity have poured in from around the world. U.S.
Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barack conveyed his deep sadness and voiced solidarity with “our Turkish allies.” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also offered his sympathy, honoring the service of the fallen and expressing gratitude for the contributions of the Turkish Armed Forces.
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Germany, and Russia are among other nations that have extended their condolences.
The C-130 Hercules, a military transport aircraft manufactured by American company Lockheed Martin, was reportedly 57 years old. Turkish newspaper Sozcu reported that Turkey acquired the aircraft from Saudi Arabia in 2010 after it was retired from service there.
Authorities across Turkey personally informed the families of the soldiers. The national Anadolu news agency shared images of the soldiers’ homes draped in Turkish flags, a somber testament to the profound loss.
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- Turkish military cargo plane crash kills 20 soldiers (cbsnews.com)