“There were 20 people on board the Turkish aircraft. Eighteen have been found dead, and the search for the remaining two continues,” Georgian Interior Minister Geka Geladze informed journalists.

According to Geladze, he remains in constant coordination with the Turkish Interior Minister.

“First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and to the Turkish people. As you are aware, yesterday at approximately 14:00, a Turkish military plane took off from Azerbaijani territory, crossed the Georgian border, and crashed about five kilometres away. There were 20 individuals on board, crew members. Eighteen have been recovered and, sadly, have died; the search for the remaining two continues. I am in ongoing contact and coordination with the Turkish Minister of Internal Affairs. We have established an international investigation team, which includes Turkish colleagues who were at the scene throughout the night and have been actively involved in the investigation. As this was a military aircraft, we will, in cooperation with the Turkish side, provide further details in stages, subject to their arrangement,” said Geka Geladze.