Twelve Turkish soldiers died after exposure to methane gas during a cave search operation in northern Iraq. Nineteen troops were affected, with five dying on Sunday and seven more the next day. The mission aimed to recover the remains of a comrade killed by Kurdish militants three years prior. Turkish officials labeled the incident a 'tragic event' and expressed immense grief. The cave used for the operation was previously regarded as a PKK field hospital. The PKK recently announced plans to disarm as part of peace efforts with Turkey.
Twelve Turkish soldiers have died after being exposed to methane gas during a cave search operation in northern Iraq, confirmed by the Defence Ministry. Nineteen troops were exposed to the gas, with five casualties on Sunday and another seven succumbing the following day.
The troops were conducting a mission to recover the remains of a comrade killed three years ago by Kurdish militants. The deaths were labeled a 'tragic event' by Turkish authorities, prompting Defence Minister Yasar Güler and senior officials to assess the situation.
Güler expressed immense grief, stating, 'Our grief is immense and our feelings are beyond words.' The deaths occurred amidst an offensive against the PKK, which has a decades-long conflict with Turkey.
The cave where the incident occurred, utilized by the PKK as a field hospital, is situated at an altitude of 852 meters. The PKK announced intentions to disarm as part of a peace initiative.
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