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The death toll from a methane gas incident during a Turkish military operation in northern Iraq has climbed to 12, with four additional personnel succumbing to toxic exposure, the Turkish Defense Ministry announced.
The latest casualties took place during the July 6 search operation in a cave at an elevation of 852 meters (2795.2 feet) that had been used by members of the PKK terrorist organization in the Claw-Lock Operation area of northern Iraq.
Defense Minister Yasar Guler has traveled to the region alongside Turkish Armed Forces command staff to conduct inspections and oversight and to attend farewell ceremonies for the fallen personnel, the ministry said.
The incident represents one of the deadliest non-combat losses for Turkish forces during their cross-border operations in northern Iraq, where they have been conducting campaigns against Kurdish militants since 2019.
The original incident saw 19 Turkish military personnel exposed to methane gas while conducting search operations in the cave.
The death toll has steadily risen from an initial five fatalities as more personnel have succumbed to the effects of toxic gas exposure.
"In this incident that has plunged us into deep sorrow and grief, we pray for God's mercy for our precious martyrs who lost their lives, offer our condolences and patience to their grieving families, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our noble nation, and wish swift recovery to those affected," read the Defense Ministry statement.
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