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22 September 2023
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Three firefighters killed in helicopter crash in Turkey during night operations
A helicopter crashed into Tahtalı Dam with four people onboard while taking water to fight a forest fire in the Menderes district in Turkey’s western province of İzmir late on Saturday, 16 September 2023. One person survived the crash, while the other three crew members died.
The recovery resumed Monday following Sunday’s unsuccessful efforts, Anadolu said. The night vision-equipped helicopter, a Mil Mi-8MTV-1, which was collecting water to drop on the flames at around midnight when it crashed, is reported to be stuck in mud 12 metres below the surface.
National operations commence at crash site
The crash site at the Tahtali Dam saw combined operations from the Gendarmerie, Police Department, Coast Guard, Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE) and a 10-member Underwater Search and Rescue (SAK) team from Ankara, which started work early in the morning at the point where the helicopter was found.
Underwater divers retrieved a body from the helicopter wreckage situated 12 metres below the water’s surface. The body was brought to the shore and following an initial examination, was transported to the Menderes State Hospital morgue for autopsy procedures.
Extraction of helicopter wreckage
In the effort to bring the bodies and helicopter wreckage to the surface, the divers attached balloons to the wreckage under water. The balloons were inflated underwater, effectively raising the wreckage to the surface.
The accident
A fire broke out in the wooded area of Keler Neighborhood on September 16 for reasons that have yet to be identified. The flames spread over a wide area in the Tahtali Dam basin and became intense due to the harsh terrain. Consequently, the number of ground and air teams in the area was increased.
In the evening, three helicopters equipped with night vision engaged the fire. Communication with one of these helicopters was cut off at 23h53. Following an investigation, it was discovered that the helicopter had crashed into the Tahtali Dam while gathering water.
Of the four crew members on the crashed helicopter, three were Kyrgyz nationals and one was a Turkish citizen. After the accident, the co-pilot of the helicopter, a Kyrgyzstan national, was rescued after they swam to land. The bodies of three other crew members had been found underwater, according to state-run Anadolu news agency.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı on 17 September 2023 visited the rescued co-pilot and said “(Their) general condition is very good. They are conscious and we didn't say much to avoid tiring them out.”
The fire was extinguished Sunday. Summer wildfires are common in Turkey, where dry vegetation and high temperatures and winds create ideal conditions for deadly blazes.
Sources: Associated Press, BNN, Duvar English
The recovery resumed Monday following Sunday’s unsuccessful efforts, Anadolu said. The night vision-equipped helicopter, a Mil Mi-8MTV-1, which was collecting water to drop on the flames at around midnight when it crashed, is reported to be stuck in mud 12 metres below the surface.
National operations commence at crash site
The crash site at the Tahtali Dam saw combined operations from the Gendarmerie, Police Department, Coast Guard, Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE) and a 10-member Underwater Search and Rescue (SAK) team from Ankara, which started work early in the morning at the point where the helicopter was found.
Underwater divers retrieved a body from the helicopter wreckage situated 12 metres below the water’s surface. The body was brought to the shore and following an initial examination, was transported to the Menderes State Hospital morgue for autopsy procedures.
Extraction of helicopter wreckage
In the effort to bring the bodies and helicopter wreckage to the surface, the divers attached balloons to the wreckage under water. The balloons were inflated underwater, effectively raising the wreckage to the surface.
The accident
A fire broke out in the wooded area of Keler Neighborhood on September 16 for reasons that have yet to be identified. The flames spread over a wide area in the Tahtali Dam basin and became intense due to the harsh terrain. Consequently, the number of ground and air teams in the area was increased.
In the evening, three helicopters equipped with night vision engaged the fire. Communication with one of these helicopters was cut off at 23h53. Following an investigation, it was discovered that the helicopter had crashed into the Tahtali Dam while gathering water.
Of the four crew members on the crashed helicopter, three were Kyrgyz nationals and one was a Turkish citizen. After the accident, the co-pilot of the helicopter, a Kyrgyzstan national, was rescued after they swam to land. The bodies of three other crew members had been found underwater, according to state-run Anadolu news agency.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı on 17 September 2023 visited the rescued co-pilot and said “(Their) general condition is very good. They are conscious and we didn't say much to avoid tiring them out.”
The fire was extinguished Sunday. Summer wildfires are common in Turkey, where dry vegetation and high temperatures and winds create ideal conditions for deadly blazes.
Sources: Associated Press, BNN, Duvar English
