20 Turkish troops killed as military plane crashes in Georgia

The Ministry of Defense in Turkey stated that a tragic event occurred on Tuesday in neighboring Georgia, where a military cargo plane crashed on its return journey from Azerbaijan, resulting in the loss of 20 soldiers. The Interior Minister of Georgia noted that 18 bodies have been located at the crash site, with efforts ongoing to find the remaining two individuals. The aircraft lost communication 27 minutes after takeoff, with footage capturing the tail separating from the plane in mid-air before it spiraled uncontrollably towards the ground. Photos of the fallen soldiers were shared on social media by the Turkish Ministry of Defense with a heartfelt message. Collaborative efforts between Turkish, Georgian, and Azerbaijani authorities are in progress, including a Turkish investigation team present at the scene to ascertain the cause of the crash. Various international figures, such as U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and NATO Secretary General, have offered condolences and support to Turkey during this trying time. Multiple nations, including Azerbaijan, Georgia, Germany, and Russia, have also extended their sympathies following the tragic incident. The C-130 aircraft involved in the crash was reported to have been in service for 57 years, initially acquired by Turkey from Saudi Arabia in 2010. Families of the soldiers affected have been personally informed, and the country saw touching gestures of support, such as soldiers' homes draped with Turkish flags.