ANKARA, TURKEY
At least 11 Turkish soldiers, including a high ranking officer, were killed and two injured as a military helicopter crashed in Eastern Turkey on Thursday, the National Defense Ministry said.
The contact with the Cougar-type military helicopter, which took off from the eastern Bingol province for the Tatvan district of Bitlis at 1.55 p.m. local time [1055GMT], was lost at 2.25 p.m. [1125GMT].
“The efforts are underway for the transfer of our injured personnel to the hospital,” the ministry said.
Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli announced on Twitter that Commander of the 8th Corps Lt. Gen. Osman Erbas was among the martyrs.
National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar along with Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Guler and Land Forces Commander Gen. Umit Dundar visited the site of the crash.
Condolences pour in after crash
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wished Allah’s mercy upon killed soldiers and extended his condolences to their families, Turkish nation and the Turkish Armed Forces.
The President was informed by National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar following the crash.
Erdogan also spoke over the phone with Yigitalp Erbas, the son of the martyred Lt. Gen. Osman Erbas, Turkey’s Directorate of Communications said in a statement.
The President expressed his deep regret that Osman Erbas, who provided vital services to the country and the nation, lost his life in a painful accident, the statement said.
He wished God’s mercy upon the killed commander and offered his condolences to his family and loved ones, it added.
Soldiers assist in search and rescue operation following the crash of a military helicopter in Bitlis, Turkey, March 4, 2021. (Anadolu Agency photo)
Vice President Fuat Oktay, on Twitter, also extended condolences to killed soldiers’ families. Also writing on Twitter, presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said: “I wish Allah’s mercy upon our nine soldiers who were killed, and patience to their families in sorrow.”
“I wish a quick recovery to our four wounded soldiers. Our pain is huge,” he said.
Communications Director Fahrettin Altun also conveyed his condolences and wished Allah’s mercy upon the killed and quick recovery to the injured soldiers.
MHP leader Devlet Bahceli extended his condolences to killed soldiers ‘ families, the Turkish nation and the Turkish Armed Forces over the deadly crash.
The country’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu said: “I wish Allah’s mercy upon our soldiers who were killed as a result of the helicopter crash. My condolences to their families and relatives, and quick recovery to our injured soldiers.”
