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3 more Turkish soldiers die from methane gas in Iraqi cave, raising deaths to 8
3 more Turkish soldiers die from methane gas in Iraqi cave, raising deaths to 8

Washington Post

time07-07-2025

  • Health
  • Washington Post

3 more Turkish soldiers die from methane gas in Iraqi cave, raising deaths to 8

ANKARA, Turkey — Three more Turkish soldiers have died from methane gas poisoning following a cave search operation in northern Iraq, Turkey's Defense Ministry said Monday, bringing the death toll to eight. The soldiers had been searching for the remains of a fellow soldier previously killed by Kurdish militants. The troops were searching a mountain cave when 19 of them were exposed to the gas, according to the ministry. Five of the soldiers died Sunday from the colorless, odorless, flammable gas that can cause asphyxiation in sufficient concentration, and three more succumbed on Monday.

Eight Turkish soldiers killed by gas exposure during cave search in northern Iraq
Eight Turkish soldiers killed by gas exposure during cave search in northern Iraq

Arab News

time07-07-2025

  • Health
  • Arab News

Eight Turkish soldiers killed by gas exposure during cave search in northern Iraq

ISTANBUL: Eight Turkish soldiers died after being exposed to methane gas during a search operation in a cave in northern Iraq, the defence ministry said on Monday. In a statement, the ministry said the incident took place on Sunday during a mission to locate the remains of a Turkish soldier killed during a military operation against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Eleven other soldiers who are also exposed to the gas in the cave have been taken to the hospital for treatment, the ministry said.

Turkiye says methane exposure kills 5 troops in north Iraq
Turkiye says methane exposure kills 5 troops in north Iraq

Arab News

time06-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Arab News

Turkiye says methane exposure kills 5 troops in north Iraq

ISTANBUL: Five Turkish soldiers died after being exposed to methane gas during a search operation in caves in northern Iraq on Sunday, the defense ministry said. The incident comes at a sensitive time with Turkiye in talks to end the conflict with the Kurds after the PKK militant group agreed to end its decades-long armed struggle. The conflict, which began in 1984, has cost more than 40,000 lives. The incident occurred as they were searching for the remains of a soldier who was shot dead by Kurdish fighters in the area in May 2022, whose body was never recovered, it said. At the time, Turkiye was waging Operation Claw Lock, with its troops seeking to eradicate Kurdish PKK militants holed up in caves along the border. 'During a search operation in a cave... previously known to have been used as a hospital... 19 of our personnel were exposed to methane gas.' it said. They were immediately taken to hospital for treatment, but five of them died, it said. News of the deaths emerged as a delegation from the pro-Kurdish DEM party was visiting jailed PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan as part of the ongoing negotiations with the Turkish government. 'During the meeting, we were informed that there were soldiers who lost their lives due to methane gas poisoning in the territory of the Kurdistan Regional Government,' the delegation said. 'This incident caused Mr. Ocalan and all of us deep sadness. We wish Allah's mercy to those who lost their lives and offer our condolences to their families and relatives.'

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