• Source:JND
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A Turkish C-130 military cargo aircraft crashed near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border on Tuesday after appearing to disintegrate mid-air, according to footage widely shared on social media. The incident occurred in Georgia’s Rustavi region, roughly 100 miles from the Russian frontier, as the aircraft was en route from Azerbaijan to Turkey.

Witness videos captured smoke billowing from the aircraft as it spiralled downward, shedding debris before sections of the fuselage slammed into the ground. The forward portion of the plane appeared to separate while the wingbox spun violently before exploding on impact. Wreckage was later found strewn across open terrain, confirming reports that the aircraft broke apart while still airborne.

Casualties Feared, Cause Unknown

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan indicated that there were casualties, though he did not immediately disclose numbers. He said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy and offered condolences for the “martyrs,” the phrasing strongly suggesting fatalities aboard the flight.

The cause of the crash remains unclear. Authorities have not ruled out mechanical failure, structural fatigue, or external interference, and have launched a full investigation.

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Search And Rescue Efforts Underway

Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defence confirmed the crash, stating that search and rescue operations were initiated immediately in coordination with Azerbaijan and Georgia. Georgian Interior Ministry officials said the aircraft went down in the Sighnaghi municipality, close to the border, and that investigative teams are now on site. The soldiers aboard were reportedly returning to Istanbul after participating in a military parade in Baku. 

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev ordered Prime Minister Ali Asadov to coordinate directly with Georgian leadership, offering manpower and emergency resources to help manage the aftermath. Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations said it was prepared to deploy personnel, equipment, and logistical support to the crash area.

President Erdogan confirmed that Turkish operational teams are working closely with Georgian authorities to locate remains and secure debris fields.

Military Aviation Activity Nearby

Unverified military channel reports claimed that an American C-130J-30 aircraft, accompanied by an unidentified drone and helicopter, was also airborne near Tbilisi for approximately 40 minutes around the time of the crash. Officials have not commented on whether the sightings are connected. 

The C-130 Hercules is widely used by Türkiye’s armed forces for personnel transport and logistical missions. It has a longstanding global service record, though mid-air structural failure is considered rare.

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