ANKARA – A Turkish C-130 military transport aircraft has crashed in a remote area along the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan, the Turkish Ministry of Defense confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.
The ministry announced the incident, triggering an immediate and large-scale emergency response. According to Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency, a massive search and rescue (SAR) operation is now underway.
In a complex logistical effort, Turkish authorities are coordinating the SAR mission with the governments of both Azerbaijan and Georgia, as the crash site is believed to be in the rugged, mountainous terrain that divides the two nations.
Details on the number of personnel on board or the cause of the crash have not yet been released.
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However, a significant detail is emerging from regional media reports. There is widespread speculation that the aircraft may have been transporting Turkish military personnel. According to these unconfirmed reports, the soldiers were returning from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, where they had recently participated in a high-profile military parade.
This potential connection adds a layer of significance to the crash, though officials have not yet confirmed the flight's manifest or its specific mission.
As of this report, no official information has been provided regarding the status of the crew and any passengers, and it is unknown if there are any fatalities or injuries. The developing situation is being monitored closely by all three nations involved in the recovery effort.