- विज्ञापन -
Iraq: Eight Turkish soldiers have died after inhaling methane gas during a reconnaissance operation in a cave in northern Iraq, according to Turkey’s Defence Ministry.
The incident occurred on a 852-meter-high hill in the Pençe-Kilit Operation zone, where soldiers were trying to recover the remains of Infantry Lieutenant Nuri Melih Bozkurt, who was killed in a firefight with terrorists in May 2022.
Despite securing the area, Turkish forces had been unable to retrieve Bozkurt’s body. During a renewed search by specially trained teams inside a cave previously used as a PKK field hospital, 19 personnel were exposed to high levels of methane gas.
Five soldiers died despite receiving medical aid, while others are receiving treatment in hospital. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his condolences, extending sympathies to families, the armed forces, and the nation. Condolences were also conveyed by top officials and neighboring countries.
