Twelve soldiers tragically lost their lives due to exposure to methane gas while conducting search operations in a cave in Northern Iraq. The Turkish Ministry of National Defence reported that additional personnel were also affected during the mission.
Deadly Methane Exposure Claims Lives of 12 Turkish Soldiers in Iraq
Deadly Methane Exposure Claims Lives of 12 Turkish Soldiers in Iraq
Tragic incident unfolds during military operation in Northern Iraq as Turkish soldiers encounter lethal methane gas.
The article text:
Twelve Turkish soldiers died after being exposed to lethal levels of methane gas during a search operation in a cave in northern Iraq, the Turkish Ministry of National Defence confirmed. The incident occurred while soldiers were on a mission to recover the body of a fellow soldier killed in gunfire back in May 2022.
In total, at least 19 personnel were exposed to the gas during the operation on Sunday and were promptly hospitalized. By Monday, the tragic toll had risen to twelve fatalities, prompting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to express his "great sorrow" and condolences to the grieving families and the Turkish Armed Forces.
Despite methane gas not being toxic on its own, it poses significant risks as it can displace oxygen in confined spaces, potentially leading to suffocation. Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the cave harboring such deadly levels of methane.
A solemn farewell ceremony for the deceased soldiers took place at an airport in Hakkari, southern Turkey, attended by the defence minister and leading military officials. After the ceremony, the soldiers' bodies were returned to their hometowns for burial.
The operation was part of the ongoing military action known as Operation Claw Lock, targeting militant groups such as the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Iraq. Despite being designated a terrorist organization in Turkey and several western nations, the PKK has a long-standing history of conflict with Turkish forces aimed at establishing Kurdish rights and autonomy.
In recent developments, the PKK announced a ceasefire in March and stated its decision to disband, indicating a potential shift toward peace in the longstanding conflict. As part of this process, a contingent of PKK fighters is set to lay down their arms in Iraqi Kurdistan this week, marking a significant step towards de-escalation.
Twelve Turkish soldiers died after being exposed to lethal levels of methane gas during a search operation in a cave in northern Iraq, the Turkish Ministry of National Defence confirmed. The incident occurred while soldiers were on a mission to recover the body of a fellow soldier killed in gunfire back in May 2022.
In total, at least 19 personnel were exposed to the gas during the operation on Sunday and were promptly hospitalized. By Monday, the tragic toll had risen to twelve fatalities, prompting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to express his "great sorrow" and condolences to the grieving families and the Turkish Armed Forces.
Despite methane gas not being toxic on its own, it poses significant risks as it can displace oxygen in confined spaces, potentially leading to suffocation. Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the cave harboring such deadly levels of methane.
A solemn farewell ceremony for the deceased soldiers took place at an airport in Hakkari, southern Turkey, attended by the defence minister and leading military officials. After the ceremony, the soldiers' bodies were returned to their hometowns for burial.
The operation was part of the ongoing military action known as Operation Claw Lock, targeting militant groups such as the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Iraq. Despite being designated a terrorist organization in Turkey and several western nations, the PKK has a long-standing history of conflict with Turkish forces aimed at establishing Kurdish rights and autonomy.
In recent developments, the PKK announced a ceasefire in March and stated its decision to disband, indicating a potential shift toward peace in the longstanding conflict. As part of this process, a contingent of PKK fighters is set to lay down their arms in Iraqi Kurdistan this week, marking a significant step towards de-escalation.
