NEED TO KNOW
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A Turkish military plane crashed shortly after take-off on Wednesday, Nov. 12, killing all military personnel and crew on board
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The crash took place near the Azerbaijan-Georgia border, and footage of the incident shows the plane spiraling through the sky before impacting on the ground in a plume of smoke
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoga offered his condolences to “our martyrs,” while U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, said that he was “deeply saddened” by the incident
A Turkish military plane crashed on Wednesday, Nov. 11, killing everyone on board.
The aircraft, which was carrying crew as well as military personnel, crashed in Georgia shortly after taking off from Azerbaijan.
Footage of the incident shared by local outlet Turkey Tribune shows the C-130 Hercules spiraling through the air, with smoke pluming from it before it slammed into the ground and erupted into black smoke. According to Reuters, the crash is Turkey’s deadliest military incident since 2020, when 33 Turkish troops were killed in northwest Syria.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered his condolences to “our martyrs,” per BBC, while Georgian Prime Minister Kobakhidze also extended his condolences to President Erdogan for the Turkish soldiers who died a martyr’s death in the crash, as noted on X.
GIORGI ARJEVANIDZE/AFP via Getty
Wreckage is seen at the crash site of the Turkish C-130 military cargo plane in the Sighnaghi area at the Georgia-Azerbaijan border early on November 12, 2025
Meanwhile, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, shared his heartfelt thoughts via X, saying that he was “deeply saddened,” and calling the incident “tragic.”
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen, the Turkish Armed Forces, and the people of Türkiye. The United States stands in solidarity with our Turkish allies,” he added.
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GIORGI ARJEVANIDZE/AFP via Getty
Emergency services members work at the crash site of the Turkish C-130 military cargo plane in the Sighnaghi area at the Georgia-Azerbaijan border on November 12, 2025
As reported by the BBC, the defence ministry said the C-130 cargo plane had been travelling from Azerbaijan to Turkey.
Images from the scene show the wreckage of the plane broken apart and twisted metal on the ground. Ambulances, firetrucks and army vehicles can also be seen in the area around the burned fuselage, with search-and-rescue teams scanning the grounds.
Reuters notes that Turkish and Georgian authorities have started inspections at the site, located in the Sighnaghu municipality of Georgia’s Kakheti district.
The C-130 Hercules, widely used by air forces around the world, is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft capable of operating from unprepared runways. It is a mainstay tactical airlifter for many militaries because it’s versatile frame allows for cargo, troop, and equipment transport.
The Turkish Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for an update
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