A tragic aviation incident has claimed the lives of twenty Turkish soldiers after a military cargo plane crashed in the country of Georgia. The Turkish Defence Ministry confirmed the fatalities on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
The Fatal Flight and Crash Details
The aircraft involved was a Turkish C-130 military transport plane. It had taken off from the Azerbaijani city of Ganja, which is located near the border with Georgia. The crash occurred in the Sighnaghi municipality of Georgia's Kakheti district in the early hours of Wednesday.
Turkish Defence Minister, Yasar Guler, addressed the nation through a social media post, referring to the deceased soldiers as martyrs. Our heroic comrades-in-arms were martyred, he stated, subsequently sharing photographs of the soldiers in their uniforms as a tribute.
Investigation and International Cooperation
An immediate investigation into the cause of the crash was launched. According to official statements from the Turkish ministry, Georgian authorities are working collaboratively with a Turkish accident investigation team. Both teams are already on the ground, inspecting the wreckage at the crash site to determine what led to this devastating event.
The confirmation of the soldiers' deaths came after investigators had a chance to observe the scene of the incident. The area is notably close to the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan, adding a complex international dimension to the response and investigation efforts.
A Nation in Mourning
This crash represents a significant loss for the Turkish military. The death of twenty service members in a single incident is a stark reminder of the risks associated with military transport and operations. The nation is now in a period of mourning, with official statements and social media posts from high-ranking officials like Minister Guler highlighting the profound sense of loss. The incident underscores the ever-present dangers faced by military personnel even during non-combat operations.
