Turkish Military Plane Crashes in Georgia, at Least 20 on Board

A Turkish C-130 military transport aircraft carrying at least 20 personnel crashed in eastern Georgia on Tuesday after taking off from Azerbaijan, according to officials. Authorities have reported casualties, though the exact number remains unconfirmed as rescue operations are underway.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan interrupted a speech in Ankara to express condolences for what he called “our martyrs” — a term he often uses for service members who die while on duty. “God willing, we will overcome this crash with minimum hardship. May God rest the souls of our martyrs,” Erdogan said after receiving news of the incident mid-speech.

Neither Erdogan’s office nor Turkey’s Defense Ministry disclosed the cause of the crash or provided casualty figures. However, the ministry confirmed that 20 Turkish personnel, including flight crew members, were on board. Local reports suggest that both Turkish and Azerbaijani servicemen may have been among the passengers.

The crash occurred near Sighnaghi, a municipality in Georgia’s Kakheti region, close to the Azerbaijan border, according to Georgia’s Interpress News Agency. Both Turkey and Georgia have dispatched rescue teams to the site as investigations continue.

Following a phone conversation with Erdogan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed his condolences, acknowledging “the tragic loss of servicemen” from both nations.

The Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules, manufactured by the U.S. defense company, is one of the world’s most widely used military aircraft. Known for its versatility, it can transport troops, cargo, and equipment, and is capable of taking off and landing on unprepared runways. The model has also been adapted for roles such as reconnaissance, gunship missions, and airborne assaults.

The cause of Tuesday’s crash remains under investigation.