7 Turkish security personnel killed in plane crash

Seven security personnel were killed after their reconnaissance plane crashed in a mountain in Turkey’s Van province, Turkish Interior Minister said early Thursday.

Our teams have informed us that we have lost seven heroes, two of them are the pilots, Süleyman Soylu told reporters in the eastern Van province.

The plane crashed at an altitude of 2,200 meters (7218 feet) on Mount Artos, Soylu added.

The 2015 model-plane was missioned for reconnaissance and surveillance in Van and Hakkari provinces since Monday, said Soylu.

All radar and communication contact with the plane had been lost around 10:45 p.m. (1945GMT), he added.

Soylu later arrived in the region where the plane crashed. The incident came after two special police forces personnel were martyred in southeastern Siirt province late on Wednesday

Announcing the news on Thursday, the Turkish Interior Ministry said the pair died at a hospital after sustaining injuries during an anti-terror operation July 15 in the Pervari District of Siirt.

Four special police forces personnel were injured during the operation.

Two of the injured were taken to Sirnak Military Hospital.

BRT