12 Turkish soldiers killed by gas exposure during cave search in Iraq

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich, nominated to be commander of United States European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, testifies before a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 24, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt

ISTANBUL - Twelve 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).

Other soldiers also exposed to the gas in the cave have been taken to the hospital for treatment, the ministry said.

(Reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan, William Maclean // REUTERS)

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