FLASH
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A Turkish military C-130 cargo plane, which was traveling from Azerbaijan, has crashed in Georgia, the Turkish president said on Tuesday.
"We are deeply saddened to learn that one of our C-130 military aircraft, en route from Azerbaijan to our country, has crashed near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at an event in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
"Our search and rescue operations are continuing in coordination with national authorities. May God have mercy on our martyrs," he added.
According to the Turkish Ministry of Defense, the plane was carrying 20 people, including the flight crew, and search and rescue efforts are ongoing.
The ministry also told US social media company X that "search and rescue operations have begun in coordination with the authorities of Azerbaijan and Georgia."
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya also expressed his "deep" regret over the incident, stating in a post on Turkish social media platform NSosyal that search and rescue efforts are continuing.
Yerlikaya said he discussed the accident on the phone with his Georgian counterpart, Gela Geladze, who said he was also on his way to the scene.
In another post, Yerlikaya said he continues to have follow-up phone calls with Geladze.
Geladze "reached the wreckage of our C130 military cargo plane at around 5:00 p.m. and search and rescue efforts are continuing," the Turkish interior minister added.
Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran also reiterated on NSosyal that search and rescue operations began "immediately" after the crash.
"To ensure accurate public information, we urge everyone to rely only on statements issued by official authorities and to refrain from sharing unverified information," he added.
Search and rescue efforts in Georgia
According to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone call with his Georgian counterpart, Maka Botchorishvili, to discuss search and rescue efforts.
Botchorishvili also expressed her condolences for the plane crash.
In a post on NSosyal, Fidan said that Türkiye is closely monitoring the situation together with the Georgian authorities.
Commenting on the incident, Georgia's air traffic management authority, Sakaeronavigatsia, said the military cargo plane crashed near the border with Azerbaijan, after which it sent a search and rescue team.
In a statement on Facebook, the authority said the plane disappeared from radar a few minutes after passing over Georgian territory without transmitting a signal.
Meanwhile, Georgia's Interior Ministry also said on Facebook that the incident is being investigated under an article in the country's Criminal Code, which said it "implies a violation of the rules of safety or operation of air transport, which resulted in the loss of human life."
Condolences from Azerbaijan
Following the crash, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held a phone call with his Turkish counterpart and expressed condolences over the incident.
"During the telephone conversation, it was noted that the relevant state institutions of Azerbaijan and Turkey are in contact regarding the incident," a statement from the country's presidency said.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz also spoke by phone with Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov to discuss the current situation.
In a post on NSosyal, Yilmaz said Asadov conveyed Azerbaijan's condolences and solidarity and stressed that the country is closely following the situation. Yilmaz thanked the Azerbaijani leader for his "heartfelt condolences" and prayed for the fallen personnel.
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