ANKARA: Six soldiers were killed in a military helicopter crash in Turkey’s southwest on Monday, the defence ministry said.
The tragic incident occurred when two helicopters collided during a training exercise in the Isparta province.
“Two helicopters collided during a training flight and one of them crashed,” provincial governor Abdullah Erin told TRT Haber public television. Erin said an investigation has been launched.
Both Erin and the defence ministry initially said five soldiers were killed but later raised the toll to six after one of the injured succumbed to injuries in hospital.
The second helicopter was able to land safely, the authorities said, without saying what had caused the crash.
Emergency response teams, including ambulances and firefighters, were immediately dispatched to the scene near a gas station in the Keciborlu district, the state-run TRT reported.
Pakistan Expresses Grief over Tragic Incident
The Government and people of Pakistan have expressed sorrow over the tragic helicopter crash in Turkey, which claimed the lives of six military personnel, including Isparta Army Aviation School Commander Brigadier General Isa Baydilli.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry in a statement on Monday said, “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the martyrs and the people of Turkey.”
The statement further said Pakistan stands in solidarity with our Turkish brothers and sisters in this moment of grief and prays for the swift recovery of the injured.
