Turkey has confirmed that all 20 people on board a military cargo plane that crashed in Georgia have died. The aircraft, a C-130 Hercules, was en route from Azerbaijan to Turkey when it went down shortly after crossing into eastern Georgian airspace on Tuesday afternoon.
According to the Turkish Ministry of Defence, the plane had departed from Ganja Airport in western Azerbaijan carrying 20 personnel, including the flight crew. Georgian authorities reported that the crash occurred in the Sighnaghi region, approximately five kilometres (3.1 miles) from the Azerbaijan–Georgia border.
Footage shared by Azerbaijani media appeared to show the aircraft spinning horizontally in the air before breaking apart, with debris falling to the ground. Georgian air traffic control confirmed that the plane vanished from radar shortly after entering Georgian airspace and did not issue a distress signal. Emergency services were alerted to the crash and subsequently confirmed the location.
Defence Minister Yaşar Güler expressed his condolences on his X account, describing the victims as “our heroic comrades-in-arms” who “were martyred on 11 November 2025 due to the crash of our C-130 military cargo aircraft, which had taken off from Azerbaijan to return to Turkey.” Alongside his statement, Güler shared photographs of all 20 personnel who lost their lives.
The cause of the accident has not yet been determined, and Turkish authorities have not released further details. The C-130 Hercules is a widely used military transport aircraft manufactured by American defence contractor Lockheed Martin and has been a mainstay in air forces around the world for decades.
The incident has been met with condolences from both Turkish and regional officials, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing. The tragedy underscores the risks associated with military aviation and highlights the importance of coordinated international efforts in search, rescue, and accident investigation procedures.
For clarity, the key details of the crash are summarised below:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Type | C-130 Hercules military cargo plane |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Date of Crash | 11 November 2025 |
| Departure Airport | Ganja, Azerbaijan |
| Crash Location | Sighnaghi region, eastern Georgia (~5 km from Azerbaijan border) |
| Total Onboard | 20 (including flight crew) |
| Casualties | 20 killed |
| Cause | Under investigation |
| Notable Footage | Plane reportedly spinning horizontally with debris |
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with Turkish and Georgian authorities cooperating to determine the cause. Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in for the victims, commemorating their service and sacrifice.