Turkish helicopter carrying military personnel crashes; 7 dead

ANKARA, Turkey – A helicopter carrying military personnel and their family members has crashed in Turkey’s Black Sea region on Tuesday, killing seven people on board, an official said.

Eight others were injured, the official added. He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that a terror attack was not suspected and that the helicopter most likely crashed due to adverse weather conditions.

The helicopter was transporting a lieutenant general, a colonel and two majors, according to the Dogan news agency. It crashed in the northeastern province of Giresun as the military staff returned from visiting troops for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

Yildirim said the lieutenant general was not among the killed.