Ankara: The bodies of 19 personnel have been recovered from the site of a Turkish military cargo plane crash along the Georgia-Azerbaijan border. Search efforts are ongoing for the remaining victim, as announced by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan addressed a meeting of Justice and Development (AK) Party provincial heads in Ankara, stating that the plane's black box has been recovered and investigations have commenced. He emphasized that the ongoing work at the crash site is being closely monitored, with all necessary investigations being conducted to clarify the incident. Erdogan assured that the resources of Trkiye, Georgia, and Azerbaijan have been mobilized for the operation.

Erdogan also mentioned that Trkiye's National Defense Ministry and Communications Directorate would continue to provide regular updates on the crash. He urged the public to be cautious of misinformation and not to engage with those who exploit the tragedy for political gain. The president commemorated the fallen soldiers by reading their names and offering prayers.

Erdogan stated that following the crash, swift communication was established between Turkish officials and their counterparts, leading to immediate search and rescue operations. Unmanned aerial vehicles were deployed with Georgian cooperation to gather visuals from the area. The crash site has been secured, and a 46-member investigation team has been dispatched to the site.

He highlighted the support from Georgian authorities and the assistance from Azerbaijan, expressing gratitude for their cooperation. Erdogan extended condolences to the families of the deceased, the Turkish Armed Forces, and the nation, also thanking friendly countries for their solidarity.

Trkiye's Communication Director, Burhanettin Duran, confirmed that search, rescue, and investigation teams are continuing their efforts. He announced that the remains of the martyrs would be transported back to Trkiye using an A-400M aircraft. Duran expressed appreciation for the Georgian authorities' prompt response and full support from the start, assuring that updates will be shared with the public.