Turkish military S-70 helicopter crashes in Malatya, Defence Ministry reports four dead

The crash

A Turkish military S-70 helicopter crashed on the afternoon of Thursday, 12 November, in Malatya province in eastern Turkey. The wreckage was found in the Samanköy area of the Yeşilyurt district. One early report put the time of the crash at about 18:45 local time. Early reports could not say how many people were aboard.

Casualties and cause

The Turkish Ministry of National Defence said four people had died as a result of the crash. The ministry said the cause of the crash was not yet known and gave no further detail on the aircraft's final moments. Its statement confirmed that the helicopter was an S-70.

Rescue and investigation

Firefighters, ambulances and teams from the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) went to the site. A small fire broke out after the impact, and firefighters brought it under control. Rescue teams had reached the wreckage by the time the ministry issued its statement. Police and military authorities are carrying out inquiries in the crash area.

Official response

The ministry said search and rescue operations began immediately after the wreckage was located. Officials have not yet said whether any further casualties were found at the site, and the figure of four dead stands as the most recent official count in the reports available.