Eight Turkish soldiers have died after inhaling methane gas while searching a cave in northern Iraq, according to Türkiye’s defence ministry.

According to the ministry, the incident took place at a 852-metre-high hill in the Pençe-Kilit Operation area, where the soldiers were continuing efforts to locate the remains of Infantry Lieutenant Nuri Melih Bozkurt. He was killed during a firefight with terrorists in the same area on 28 May 2022.

Despite securing the region, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) had been unable to retrieve Bozkurt's body. Specially trained teams were conducting renewed searches when 19 personnel were exposed to high concentrations of methane gas inside a cave once used as a field hospital by the PKK. Five of the affected soldiers died despite all medical interventions. The remaining personnel are being treated in hospital.

The ministry said fully equipped TSK and AFAD teams are continuing coordinated rescue operations in the area.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his condolences. “I received the news of the martyrdom of our heroic soldiers with deep sorrow. I offer my condolences to their families, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our nation. I also wish a speedy recovery to those still under treatment.”

The fallen soldiers have been identified, and condolences were extended to the families of Private Contracted Soldiers Özkan Özkanlı, Ahmet Kuşak, and Lieutenant Ege Akar. Emotional scenes unfolded as news reached their homes in Aksaray, Balıkesir and İzmir.

Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş and Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz also issued condolence messages.

In a statement, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said, “This painful incident deeply saddened our nation. Citizens are advised to rely only on official sources and avoid misinformation.”

Azerbaijan's Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov also conveyed his condolences to his Turkish counterpart Yaşar Güler, affirming support for Türkiye in its fight against terrorism.

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