ANKARA, Turkey — Seven extra Turkish troopers have died from methane gas poisoning following a cave search operation in northern Iraq, Turkey’s Protection Ministry stated Monday, bringing the dying toll to 12. The troopers had been looking for 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 fuel, in keeping with the ministry. 5 of the troopers died Sunday from the colorless, odorless, flammable fuel 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 stated Monday, additionally expressing hope for a speedy restoration for different troops that have been affected.
It stated 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 stated the incident passed off within the “Claw-Lock Operation area” — a reference to an operation launched towards the Kurdistan Employees’ Social gathering, or PKK, in northern Iraq in April 2022.
There was no speedy data on the situation of the seven different troopers who have been affected by the fuel.
Turkey and the PKK have waged a 40-year conflict that has usually 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 Could that it could 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 following few days within the first concrete transfer towards disarmament.
In keeping with the ministry, the Turkish unit overcome by methane fuel had been looking for the stays of an infantry officer killed by “terrorist gunfire” throughout a search-and-clear mission in Could 2022. Restoration groups have been scouring the realm for the previous three years.
The cave the place the incident occurred sits at an altitude of 852 meters (2,795 toes) and had beforehand been utilized by the PKK as a area hospital.