Methane Leak During PKK-Linked Search Mission Claims Lives, Injures Eleven
ISTANBUL — In a tragic incident during a military mission in northern Iraq, eight Turkish soldiers lost their lives due to methane gas exposure while searching a cave believed to be connected to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Turkey’s Defense Ministry confirmed on Monday.
The operation, which took place on Sunday, was part of an ongoing effort to recover the remains of a Turkish soldier who had previously died during anti-PKK operations in the region. While inside the cave, soldiers were reportedly exposed to a concentrated build-up of methane gas, resulting in the deaths of eight personnel.
Eleven other soldiers affected by the gas exposure were immediately evacuated and have been hospitalized for treatment, according to the ministry. No further details were provided about their condition.
Northern Iraq has been a focal point of Turkish military activity due to the presence of PKK fighters, whom Ankara considers a terrorist organization. Operations in this rugged, mountainous region often involve high-risk environments, including underground hideouts and caves used by insurgents.
The Turkish Defense Ministry expressed its condolences and emphasized the ongoing commitment to its military objectives in the area. An investigation into the incident is underway to determine the precise cause and conditions that led to the gas build-up.