Turkey announced on Wednesday that 20 of its military personnel lost their lives in a tragic incident when a military transport aircraft crashed in Georgia the previous day, marking the country’s deadliest military accident since 2020. The C-130 cargo plane departed from Azerbaijan and crashed in Georgia, leaving wreckage scattered across a grassy area. Turkish and Georgian authorities initiated investigations at the crash site located in the Sighnaghu municipality of Georgia’s Kakheti district early on Wednesday.
Footage from the scene near the Azerbaijan border depicted ambulances, firetrucks, and military vehicles surrounding the burnt fuselage, with search and rescue teams combing the grounds. Unverified videos circulating on social media on Tuesday captured the aircraft disintegrating mid-air and spiraling towards the ground in flames.
The Turkish Defense Ministry released the names of the 20 soldiers who tragically perished in the crash on Wednesday. According to reports, the plane lost contact shortly after entering Georgia’s airspace without issuing a distress signal. The C-130 military cargo planes are extensively utilized by Turkey’s armed forces for personnel transportation and logistical operations.
Turkey and Azerbaijan maintain strong military cooperation, with leaders from both countries expressing condolences for the loss. The U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, also conveyed solidarity following the tragic event. Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler engaged in discussions with his Georgian and Azerbaijani counterparts, as well as Azerbaijan’s chief of staff, to coordinate search and rescue efforts.
Lockheed Martin, the U.S. manufacturer of the C-130 Hercules aircraft widely used by air forces globally, extended condolences and pledged support to Turkey during the investigation. The C-130 Hercules is renowned for its versatility in carrying troops, cargo, and equipment, capable of utilizing unprepared runways for operations.
Analysts noted that the aircraft appeared to break apart in mid-flight, raising concerns about Turkey’s aging fleet of C-130s requiring upgrades despite their reliability. The plane that crashed was reported to be 57 years old and had been in service with the Turkish Air Force since 2010.
