Seven extra Turkish troopers have died from methane gasoline poisoning following a cave search operation in northern Iraq, Turkey’s Protection Ministry mentioned Monday, bringing the loss of life toll to 12. The troopers had been trying to find the stays of a fellow soldier beforehand killed by Kurdish militants.
The troops have been looking out a mountain cave when 19 of them have been uncovered to the gasoline, in response to the ministry. 5 of the troopers died Sunday from the colorless, odorless, flammable gasoline that may trigger asphyxiation in ample focus, and 7 extra succumbed on Monday.
“We pray for God’s mercy upon our heroic martyrs who misplaced their lives on this tragic occasion,” the ministry mentioned Monday, additionally expressing hope for a fast restoration for different troops that have been affected.
It mentioned Protection Minister Yasar Guler and armed forces’ commanders have been touring to the area to hold out “inspections and evaluations” and attend funeral ceremonies.
The ministry mentioned the incident came about within the “Claw-Lock Operation area” – a reference to an operation launched in opposition to the Kurdistan Staff’ Occasion, or PKK, in northern Iraq in April 2022.
The ministry posted video on social media exhibiting six of the useless troopers being transported again to their hometowns.
“The our bodies of our six heroic comrades who have been martyred within the Claw-Lock Operation area have been despatched to their hometowns for burial,” the ministry wrote on X.
There was no speedy info on the situation of the seven different troopers who have been affected by the gasoline.
The didn’t clarify the origin of the methane gasoline within the caves.
Turkey and the PKK have waged a 40-year battle that has typically spilled over into Iraq and Syria. Turkey has arrange a collection of bases in northern Iraq, the place the PKK has been established for many years.
The PKK, which is taken into account a terrorist group by Turkey and many of the West, introduced in Might that it will disband and surrender armed battle as a part of a brand new peace initiative with Turkey.
Its fighters are anticipated to start handing over their weapons over the subsequent few days within the first concrete transfer towards disarmament.
In accordance with the ministry, the Turkish unit overcome by methane gasoline had been trying to find the stays of an infantry officer killed by “terrorist gunfire” throughout a search-and-clear mission in Might 2022. Restoration groups have been scouring the world for the previous three years.
The cave the place the incident occurred sits at an altitude of two,795 ft and had beforehand been utilized by the PKK as a discipline hospital.
Information of the troopers’ deaths emerged as a delegation from the pro-Kurdish DEM social gathering was visiting jailed PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan as a part of the continued negotiations with the Turkish authorities.
Agence France-Presse contributed to this report.