- The aircraft carried seven people and authorities stressed that the crash was not linked to any hostile action
- The ministry said the helicopter went down during a training flight and that further investigation will clarify the exact cause
- Officials extended condolences to the families of the deceased as search operations continue
A military helicopter crashed into Qatar’s territorial waters on Sunday, killing six people on board, including both Qatari and Turkish personnel, while one individual remains missing, officials reported.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Qatar’s Ministry of Defence confirmed the accident on X, attributing it to a technical malfunction during a routine operation.
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“The helicopter crashed due to a technical issue in Qatari waters while performing standard duties,” the ministry stated.
The aircraft carried seven people and authorities stressed that the crash was not linked to any hostile action, despite ongoing regional tensions involving Israel, Iran, and allied forces.
Rescue operations are underway, with Qatar’s Ministry of Interior reporting that specialised teams are searching the waters for the missing occupant. “Specialised teams continue their efforts to locate the last missing person,” the ministry said.
The victims included Qatari military personnel Captain Mubarak Al-Marri, Sergeant Fahad Al-Khayarin, and Corporal Mohammed Mohammed.
Also among the deceased were Major Sinan Tastekin of the Qatar-Turkiye Joint Forces, and Turkish civilian collaborators Suleiman Kahraman and Ismail Can.
The Turkish Ministry of Defence confirmed the deaths, noting that one Turkish soldier and two personnel associated with the defence company Aselsan were killed in the crash.
The ministry said the helicopter went down during a training flight and that further investigation will clarify the exact cause.
Officials extended condolences to the families of the deceased as search operations continue.
The incident highlights Qatar’s delicate position amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East, where the country has traditionally played a neutral role as a mediator.
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