A Turkish military transport plane crashed in southeastern Georgia on Tuesday, killing all 20 personnel on board, including pilots and technical staff. The C-130 Hercules aircraft disintegrated mid-air shortly after departing from Ganja International Airport in Azerbaijan en route to Turkey, crashing in Sighnaghi municipality near the Azerbaijan border.

Turkish and Georgian rescue teams recovered 19 bodies and the aircraft’s black box, while investigators from both countries are examining potential causes, including mechanical failure or external factors. Authorities have confirmed casualties, though initial reports did not specify whether any passengers of other nationalities were aboard. The flight carried Turkish Air Force personnel, including the crew and technical staff.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared a period of national mourning, with funerals beginning in Ankara to honor those lost in the tragedy. The Defense Ministry emphasized that a full investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the crash and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The catastrophic event has shocked military and civilian communities alike, highlighting the inherent risks of military aviation and the urgent need for thorough safety assessments of transport aircraft operating in regional airspace.