Turkish soldier, 2 ASELSAN technicians among 7 killed in Qatar helicopter crash: Defense Ministry
4 Qatari Armed Forces personnel also killed as military helicopter crashes into sea during training activities
ANKARA
Türkiye’s National Defense Ministry said Sunday that one Turkish Armed Forces member and two ASELSAN technicians were among seven people killed in a helicopter crash in Qatar.
The ministry said in a statement that military cooperation and coordination activities between Türkiye and Qatar continue uninterrupted as part of existing agreements and plans.
The statement said a helicopter belonging to the Qatari Armed Forces, conducting training activities under the Qatar-Turkish Combined Joint Force Command, crashed into the sea on Friday evening due to a technical malfunction, according to initial findings.
“With the launch of search and rescue operations, the wreckage of the helicopter and the bodies of our martyrs have been reached. In the accident, four Qatari Armed Forces personnel, one Turkish Armed Forces member, and two ASELSAN personnel technicians were martyred,” the statement said.
It added that the exact cause of the crash will be determined following an investigation by Qatari authorities.
“We wish Allah’s mercy upon all our martyrs who lost their lives in this tragic accident, patience to their families, and offer our condolences to the Turkish Armed Forces, the Qatari Armed Forces, ASELSAN, the Turkish nation, and the brotherly people of Qatar,” the ministry said.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz also expressed condolences, wishing Allah’s mercy upon the Turkish Armed Forces member and ASELSAN technicians who lost their lives, and extending sympathies to their families, the Turkish Armed Forces, ASELSAN, and the “friendly and fraternal people of Qatar.”
Yilmaz said the incident occurred during training activities carried out under the Qatar-Turkish Combined Joint Force Command.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan likewise offered condolences, expressing sorrow over the loss of the Turkish soldier, two ASELSAN technicians, and Qatari Armed Forces personnel in the crash.
Fidan extended his sympathies to the families of the victims and conveyed condolences to both the Turkish nation and the people of Qatar.
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