“We have learned with great sorrow that our C130 military aircraft has crashed on the Georgia-Azerbaijan border. Our efforts to reach the wreckage continue in coordination with the national authorities,” said President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

“Today, we learned with deep sadness that our C130 military aircraft, which was flying from Azerbaijan to our country, crashed on the Georgia-Azerbaijan border. Our efforts to reach the wreckage are ongoing in coordination with the national authorities. God willing, we will overcome this tragedy with minimal losses. May God have mercy on our fallen soldiers — they are in our prayers,” Erdoğan stated.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, a Turkish military aircraft crashed in the Sighnaghi Municipality, approximately five kilometers from the Georgian state border. Preliminary information indicates that the plane was flying from Azerbaijan to Turkey.

The case is being investigated under Article 275, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to the violation of air transport safety or operating rules resulting in loss of life.