Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili has extended his condolences following the crash of a Turkish military cargo plane on Georgian territory.

In a message shared on social media, President Kavelashvili expressed deep sympathy for the victims and solidarity with the Turkish people.

“We wish to express our deepest condolences and share your profound sorrow over the tragic loss of life caused by the crash of the Turkish military cargo aircraft within Georgian territory. This appalling tragedy has brought us immense grief. In these painful and difficult moments, we stand in unwavering solidarity with the people of the Republic of Turkey,” the President wrote.

According to the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Turkish military aircraft, en route from Azerbaijan to Türkiye, crashed in the Sighnaghi municipality, about five kilometers from the Georgian border.

Authorities have launched an investigation under Article 275, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which addresses violations of air transport safety or operational rules leading to fatalities.

The Turkish Ministry of Defense confirmed that the aircraft was a C-130 transport plane carrying 20 servicemen when it went down near the Georgian-Azerbaijani border.