A Turkish military cargo plane carrying 20 people crashed in eastern Georgia near the Azerbaijani border on Tuesday, officials from all three countries confirmed. Although initial reports suggest multiple fatalities, authorities have not yet released an official casualty count.
Plane crashed shortly after take-off from Azerbaijan
According to Turkey’s Defence Ministry, the C-130E Hercules aircraft had taken off from Ganja, Azerbaijan, and was en route to Turkey when it went down in Georgia’s Sighnaghi municipality, close to the Azerbaijani border. The ministry said it was not immediately clear how many of the 20 people on board were crew members or military personnel.
Local media reports, citing defence sources, said the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control shortly after entering Georgian airspace. Eyewitnesses in the area described seeing the plane spiralling down trailing white smoke before it burst into flames upon impact.
Eyewitness video shows aircraft bursting into flames
Footage aired by Georgian news outlets and widely shared on social media showed the aircraft engulfed in flames moments before it exploded on impact. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the crash site in the foothills near Sighnaghi.
Rescue teams from Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey have been dispatched to the scene as part of a coordinated search and recovery operation. Preliminary efforts have been hampered by rugged terrain and poor visibility in the area.
Leaders express condolences
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed sorrow over the tragedy, saying he was “deeply saddened” by the incident and extended condolences to the families of those killed. While confirming that there were casualties, Erdoğan said further details would be released once rescue operations concluded.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also conveyed condolences to his Turkish counterpart, stating:
“We were deeply saddened by the tragic news of the loss of servicemen in the crash of a Turkish Air Force military cargo plane, which took off from Ganja and crashed in Georgian territory. In this moment of sorrow, I share your grief and, on behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, extend heartfelt condolences to the families and the fraternal people of Türkiye.”
Investigation into cause underway
The Georgian Interior Ministry confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash. Officials said the aircraft went down near the town of Sighnaghi, located in Georgia’s Kakheti region, around 110 kilometres southeast of the capital, Tbilisi.
While the exact cause remains unknown, early reports indicate the possibility of a technical malfunction or engine failure. Georgian authorities have cordoned off the area and are working with Turkish military officials to retrieve flight data recorders from the wreckage.
About the C-130 Hercules aircraft
The C-130E Hercules is a four-engine turboprop tactical airlifter developed by the United States and used by several militaries worldwide, including Turkey. The aircraft is designed for personnel transport, cargo delivery, and humanitarian missions and has been a core part of the Turkish Air Force’s logistics fleet for decades.
The model has an extensive service history but has also been involved in multiple accidents globally, primarily due to mechanical issues or challenging flying conditions.
Regional cooperation in response
Authorities from Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey have expressed solidarity and pledged to cooperate fully in the investigation. Emergency response units from all three countries remain at the site to assist in identifying victims and securing debris.
The incident marks one of the deadliest military aviation accidents involving Turkey in recent years and comes amid increasing defence coordination between Ankara and Baku.
Further updates on the casualties and investigation findings are expected in the coming days.