Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Ankara, November 12 (Xinhua) — All 20 Turkish military personnel aboard the C-130 military transport plane that crashed in Georgia near the border with Azerbaijan have died, the Turkish Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday.
Turkish and Georgian authorities launched coordinated search and rescue operations immediately after receiving information about the accident, the statement said.
According to the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the plane, en route from Azerbaijan to Turkey, disappeared from radar 27 minutes after entering Georgian airspace and then crashed approximately five kilometers from the border with Azerbaijan in Georgia's Sighnaghi municipality.
Anadolu Agency reported that a large security perimeter has been established around the crash site, with numerous ambulances and fire crews dispatched to the area.
Video footage released by Turkish media shows the plane spiraling downward, leaving a trail of white smoke behind it.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze discussed joint search and rescue efforts during a phone call on Tuesday evening, the Turkish leader's office said.
The C-130 has been in service with the Turkish Air Force since 1964. To modernize its aging fleet, Turkey recently announced the purchase of 12 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the United Kingdom. –0–
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