Turkey's Ministry of Defense confirmed that a Turkish C-130 transport aircraft crashed in Georgia while returning from Azerbaijan, killing all 20 servicemen aboard. Georgian teams recovered 18 bodies at the scene and continue searching for two others. Video circulated by media appears to show the plane's tail separating in midair; a Turkish investigation team is on site and coordinating with Georgian and Azerbaijani authorities. International partners, including the United States and NATO, have offered condolences.
Turkish C-130 Transport Crashes in Georgia, Killing 20 Servicemen — Investigation Underway
Turkey's Ministry of Defense confirmed that a Turkish C-130 transport aircraft crashed in Georgia while returning from Azerbaijan, killing all 20 servicemen aboard. Georgian teams recovered 18 bodies at the scene and continue searching for two others. Video circulated by media appears to show the plane's tail separating in midair; a Turkish investigation team is on site and coordinating with Georgian and Azerbaijani authorities. International partners, including the United States and NATO, have offered condolences.
11:58 PM, 11/12/2025Security
Turkish C-130 Transport Crashes in Georgia, Killing 20 Servicemen
Turkey's Ministry of Defense confirmed on Tuesday that 20 servicemen died when a Turkish military C-130 transport aircraft crashed in neighboring Georgia while returning from Azerbaijan.
Georgian Interior Minister Gela Geladze said search teams had recovered 18 bodies at the crash site and were continuing efforts to locate the two remaining personnel, according to Reuters. Turkish media reported that contact with the aircraft was lost about 27 minutes after takeoff.
Footage circulated online and broadcast by Turkish outlets appears to show the aircraft's tail separating from the fuselage as the plane tumbled and descended uncontrollably. A separate clip distributed by Reuters showed wreckage scattered across farmland in the area.
The Turkish Ministry of Defense published photographs of the 20 servicemen on social media alongside a message honoring their sacrifice:
"We bury you in our hearts."
Turkish officials said they were coordinating with Georgian and Azerbaijani authorities at the scene. A Turkish crash-investigation team has arrived in Georgia to examine the wreckage; officials said the cause of the accident will be determined after a detailed inspection of the debris and further analysis.
International leaders and partners offered condolences. The U.S. Ambassador to Turkey issued a message of sympathy and solidarity, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed the Alliance's appreciation for the service of Turkish forces. Azerbaijan, Georgia, Germany, Russia and several other countries also extended condolences.
The C-130 "Hercules" is a military transport aircraft originally produced by Lockheed Martin. Turkish newspaper Sözcü reported that the specific aircraft involved had been in service for 57 years and was acquired from Saudi Arabia by Turkey in 2010 after being retired there; this detail has been reported by the newspaper and is under review by investigators.
Authorities said family members of the fallen were being notified in person across Turkey. Anadolu news agency published images of some homes draped in Turkish flags as communities mourned the loss.
What happens next
The Turkish investigation team will conduct a thorough examination of the wreckage in coordination with Georgian authorities. Officials have not yet released definitive findings about the cause of the crash; investigations into maintenance records, flight data and video evidence are expected to follow.