Georgian Interior Minister Geka Geladze has visited the site of the Turkish military helicopter crash in Sighnaghi Municipality, near the Georgia–Azerbaijan border.
He was accompanied by First Deputy Minister Roni Meskhi and heads of various police and rescue units.
The search and rescue operation is ongoing, with investigators and emergency teams working on the ground to assess the situation.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has confirmed that all relevant departments are actively involved to ensure the safety of the area and support the ongoing investigation.
Authorities continue to coordinate closely with Turkish officials, emphasizing swift action and cross-border cooperation. The crash highlights the importance of preparedness and rapid response in such critical incidents.
A telephone conversation took place between Foreign Ministers of Türkiye and Georgia, Hakan Fidan and Maka Bochorishvili earlier in the day.
Bochorishvili extended condolences to Türkiye over the incident while the duo exchanged information about ongoing rescue operations.
In a statement released by the Ministry of National Defence on Tuesday, 11 November, it said that the aircraft had 20 personnel onboard including the flight crew adding that search and rescue operations were still ongoing at the site of the crash.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed deep sorrow regarding the C -130 military aircraft crash that occurred on the Georgia - Azerbaijan border.
Speaking at a summit on Tuesday, the President said that efforts to reach the wreckage are continuing in coordination with the local authorities.
"God willing, we will overcome this accident with the least possible loss. May our Lord have mercy on our martyrs.
Let us, with our prayers, be by their side, God willing." he said.
Türkiye’s defence ministry said on Tuesday afternoon that one of its C130 military cargo planes has crashed near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border on Tuesday.
In a statement, it said search and rescue operations were ongoing at the site of the incident and that the plane had departed Azerbaijan and was heading to Türkiye.
Türkiye's Minister of Interior, Ali Yerlikaya also reacted to news of the crash stating that he was in touch with his Georgian counterpart.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev condoled with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan over the incident.
In his message, the head of state wrote: “We were deeply saddened by the tragic news of the loss of servicemen in the crash of a Turkish Air Force military cargo plane, which took off from Ganja and crashed in Georgian territory.
In this moment of sorrow, I share your grief and, on behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, extend heartfelt condolences to You, the families and loved ones of the deceased, and the fraternal people of Türkiye.” he said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze held a phone call to discuss ongoing search and rescue operations following the crash of a Turkish C-130 military cargo plane in Georgia. During the conversation, Kobakhidze expressed his condolences for the deaths of the 20 people on board, including flight crew members, while Erdoğan thanked him for his support and condolences, according to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.
No further details are available about the possible cause of the crash.
Video footage seen by Anewz purported to be of the cargo plane crash, and broadcast by Turkish local media appeared to show a plane spiraling downward, leaving a trail of smoke behind until it went down.
What sort of aircraft is the C-130E Hercules plane?
The C-130E Hercules is a four-engine, turboprop-powered, tactical airlift aircraft capable of operating from austere airfields.
The aircraft primarily performs the tactical portion of an airlift mission. It is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas.
The American Air Mobility Command Museum says that the aircraft is favoured by more than 40 countries worldwide including the United States.
Although it typically operates with a crew of five people including two pilots, the number of casualties in Tuesday's crash were twenty according to Turkish authorities.
The Ukrainian capital came under a “massive” Russian missile attack early Thursday (12 February), with explosions heard across the capital accordi...
A Republican lawmaker accused on Wednesday (11 February) Attorney General Pam Bondi of concealing the names of Jeffrey Epstein’s powerful associates...
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Türkiye on Wednesday as part of a large delegation for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan....
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 12th of February, covering the latest developments you need to...
The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly backed a measure on Wednesday (11 February) disapproving President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada, a rare...
A Republican lawmaker accused on Wednesday (11 February) Attorney General Pam Bondi of concealing the names of Jeffrey Epstein’s powerful associates. The claim was made during a heated House hearing on the Justice Department’s handling of the files.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Türkiye on Wednesday as part of a large delegation for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 12th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Bangladesh, South Asia’s second-largest economy, stands at a decisive crossroads. As voters head to the polls in a watershed election, the country faces a defining question: can it move from revolutionary upheaval to a stable, sustainable democracy?
The United States and Azerbaijan signed a strategic partnership in Baku on Tuesday (10 February) encompassing economic and security cooperation as Washington seeks to expand its influence in a region where Russia was once the main power broker.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in Ankara on Wednesday, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held an official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, marking the start of high-level talks between the two NATO allies.
Europe heads into the Munich Security Conference, 13 February, amid deepening unease over U.S. policy, as President Donald Trump’s hard-line stance on defence, trade and territory fuels doubts about Washington’s long-term commitment to transatlantic security.
The European Union is preparing a further expansion of its sanctions against Russia, with Central Asia emerging for the first time as a distinct point of focus.
A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader said on Tuesday that negotiations with the United States must remain focused on the nuclear issue and be grounded in realism, as Washington and Tehran prepare to resume talks mediated by Oman.
Israel has joined U.S. President Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace' initiative, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday (11 February) during his visit to Washington where he met Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Plans to merge Tbilisi State University and Georgian Technical University have been scrapped by Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who backed down on the proposed move after days of backlash from lecturers and students.
Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation remained severe throughout 2025, with millions still struggling to meet basic needs, according to a new report by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Uzbekistan is combining renewable energy expansion with sweeping land restoration, installing solar stations in local communities while rehabilitating degraded farmland to spur rural development and climate-smart growth, the government has announced.
The United States and Azerbaijan signed a new strategic partnership agreement in Baku on Tuesday, expanding cooperation on defence, energy security, artificial intelligence and economic ties.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment