A Turkish military transport aircraft crashed on Wednesday, Nov. 11, resulting in the deaths of everyone on board.
The C-130 Hercules, carrying crew members and additional military personnel, went down in Georgia shortly after departing from Azerbaijan. Video published by local outlet Turkey Tribune shows the aircraft spiraling downward with smoke trailing behind it before hitting the ground and erupting into a dark plume. According to Reuters, this marks Turkey’s deadliest military aviation disaster since 2020, when 33 Turkish troops were killed in northwest Syria.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed condolences to “our martyrs,” per BBC, while Georgian Prime Minister Kobakhidze also offered his sympathies to President Erdogan, honoring the soldiers who died in the crash, as shared on X.
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack released a statement on X describing himself as “deeply saddened” by what he called a “tragic” event. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen, the Turkish Armed Forces, and the people of Türkiye. The United States stands in solidarity with our Turkish allies,” he wrote.
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As noted by the BBC, the Turkish defence ministry confirmed that the C-130 had been traveling from Azerbaijan to Turkey at the time of the incident.
Reports from the scene describe extensive wreckage scattered across the crash site, with twisted metal, debris, and emergency teams working around the burned fuselage. Ambulances, fire units, and military vehicles were present as search-and-rescue personnel examined the area.
Reuters reports that both Turkish and Georgian authorities have begun joint inspections at the site, located in the Sighnaghu municipality of Georgia’s Kakheti district.
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The C-130 Hercules is a widely used four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft known for its durability and ability to operate from rough or unprepared runways. Its adaptable design makes it a core tactical transport aircraft for militaries worldwide, handling missions involving troops, equipment, and cargo.
The Turkish Defence Ministry has not yet released further updates.
