Turkiye Says 5 Soldiers Killed by Methane Gas During Cave Search in Northern Iraq
- On Sunday, five Turkish soldiers lost their lives due to methane gas exposure during a mission in northern Iraq to recover the remains of a comrade.
- The soldiers were part of the Claw-Lock Operation launched in April 2022 against the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, amid a 40-year conflict spilling over into Iraq and Syria.
- The cave, located at 852 meters altitude, was formerly used as a PKK hospital, and 19 soldiers were exposed to the colorless, odorless, and flammable methane gas causing asphyxiation risk.
- Despite immediate medical intervention, five soldiers died, and rescue efforts continue while the Turkish Defence Ministry confirmed the incident occurred during a search for an infantry officer killed by Kurdish militants in 2022.
- The incident occurred alongside the PKK's May declaration to dissolve and give up armed struggle in a bid for peace, with its fighters anticipated to start surrendering their weapons shortly.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Türkiye Says 5 Soldiers Killed by Methane Gas during Cave Search in Northern Iraq
Five Turkish soldiers have died after exposure to methane gas on Sunday while searching a cave in northern Iraq for the remains of a fellow soldier killed by Kurdish militants in 2022, the Turkish Defense Ministry said. Soldiers were searching a mountain cave when 19 of them were exposed to the gas, which is colorless, odorless, flammable and can cause asphyxiation in sufficient concentration.
Turkiye says 5 soldiers killed by methane gas during cave search in northern Iraq
Five Turkish soldiers have died after exposure to methane gas on Sunday while searching a cave in northern Iraq for the remains of a fellow soldier killed by Kurdish militants in 2022, the Turkish Defense Ministry said.

Turkey says 5 soldiers killed by methane gas during cave search in northern Iraq
Turkey's Defense Ministry said five soldiers have been killed by methane gas in northern Iraq. They were searching a cave Sunday for the remains of a fellow soldier killed by Kurdish militants three years ago when 19 of them were exposed to the gas, the ministry says.
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