Erdogan says nineteen bodies have been reclaimed from army plane crash
Addressing a Wednesday meeting of his party’s provincial leaders in Ankara, Erdogan confirmed that the aircraft’s black box had been located and that a formal investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.
“Ongoing work at the crash site is being closely monitored, and all necessary investigations will be done meticulously to clarify every aspect of the incident,” he said, assuring that both Georgia and Azerbaijan had joined Türkiye in mobilizing all available resources to support the operation.
The president emphasized that regular updates on the situation would be released by Türkiye’s National Defense Ministry and Communications Directorate, while cautioning the public against misinformation and political exploitation surrounding the tragedy.
Erdogan paid tribute to the fallen soldiers by reading their names and offering prayers. He also stated that soon after the accident, top Turkish officials—including the ministers of defense, interior, and foreign affairs—contacted their counterparts, and immediate search and rescue operations were initiated.
He added that unmanned aerial vehicles had been used in coordination with Georgian authorities to capture images from the crash area, which was sealed off for security purposes.
“Our 46-member crash investigation team was dispatched to the area,” he said, noting that cooperation from Georgian authorities had been extensive and that Azerbaijan had also provided strong assistance.
Extending his condolences to the families of the victims, the Turkish Armed Forces, and the nation, Erdogan expressed gratitude to friendly nations that offered solidarity during this difficult time.
Türkiye’s Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said that both rescue and investigation teams remain active at the crash site. “The remains of our beloved martyrs will be brought back to our country on our A-400M aircraft, which transported our search and rescue and accident investigation team to Georgia,” he wrote on social media.
He also thanked Georgian officials for their quick action and comprehensive support since the incident, adding, “Developments on the matter will continue to be shared with the public.”
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