Qatar’s Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday (March 22) that a military helicopter crashed in Qatari waters due to technical issues, resulting in the tragic deaths of seven people on board.
According to the information released by the Qatari Ministry of Defense, the helicopter carried four Qatari military personnel and three Turkish citizens.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Sunday that the three Turkish citizens who perished included a member of the Turkish armed forces and two technicians from Turkey’s defense company Aselsan.
Qatar stated that rescue teams have located the body of the seventh victim who was previously missing. The Qatari Ministry of Defense mentioned that the search and rescue operation has now concluded.
The Ministry of Defense of Qatar also expressed its “sincerest condolences and deepest sympathies to the families of the victims”.
According to the information released by the Turkish and Qatari Ministries of Defense, the helicopter crashed while on a “routine mission” due to technical malfunctions.
“The military cooperation and coordination activities between the Republic of Turkey and the State of Qatar continue within the framework of existing agreements and plans without any disruption,” stated the Turkish Ministry of Defense.