A Turkish Air Force C-130 has crashed on Georgia–Azerbaijan border after the aircraft disintegrated mid-air.
A Turkish Air Force C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft has crashed after reportedly breaking apart in mid-air over Georgia, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense confirmed on Tuesday.
The aircraft, registered 68-01609, had departed Azerbaijan earlier in the day and was en route to Türkiye when contact was lost near the Georgia–Azerbaijan border region.
In a statement, the ministry said:
“Our C-130 military transport aircraft, which took off from Azerbaijan en route to Türkiye, has crashed on the Georgia–Azerbaijan border. Search and rescue operations have already begun in coordination with the relevant authorities of Azerbaijan and Georgia.”
Local emergency services and military rescue teams from both countries have been deployed to the area. There was no immediate information about the number of people on board or possible survivors.
The C-130 Hercules is a long-serving tactical transport aircraft used by the Turkish Air Force for troop and cargo missions, humanitarian aid, and logistical support. The aircraft involved appears was 57 year old and initially serving the Royal Saudi Air Force before being transferred to the Turkish Air Force in 2010.
Both Turkish and regional authorities have launched investigations to determine the cause of the crash.
UPDATE #1
All 20 military personnel travelling on the Turkish C-130 cargo plane that crashed in Georgia have been killed, the Turkish government said.
