A Turkish firefighting aircraft, an AT802, has crashed in Croatia. The news comes on the same day that the bodies of 20 members of the Turkish Air Force (THK), who were killed in the C-130 crash on the Georgia–Azerbaijan border, were being repatriated.

According to the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, İbrahim Yumaklı, the wreckage of the firefighting plane was found near the town of Senj, Croatia.

“I extend my condolences and prayers to the family and loved ones of our pilot who lost his life in this tragic accident. My condolences also go to our forestry organization and our beloved nation,” said Mr. Yumaklı, according to Hürriyet.

Turkish media also reported that there had been a sighting of a “burning aircraft” in the area.

Earlier, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry had issued the following statement:

Two AT802 firefighting aircraft belonging to the General Directorate of Forestry departed from Çanakkale on Wednesday, November 12, at 10:24 a.m. for scheduled maintenance in Zagreb, Croatia. Due to weather conditions, both aircraft stayed overnight at the airport in Rijeka, Croatia.

After taking off for Zagreb Airport today (Thursday, November 13, 2025) at 5:38 p.m. Turkish time, they returned to Rijeka Airport due to adverse weather conditions. During the return, one of our aircraft landed safely at Rijeka, but radio communication with the other aircraft was lost at 6:25 p.m. Turkish time.

Search and rescue efforts have begun in coordination with Croatian units to locate our pilot and the aircraft. We will continue to inform the public as more details become available.