Search and rescue (SAR) operations resumed at first light on Wednesday at the crash site of a Falcon 50 aircraft carrying Libya’s Army Chief of Staff, General Mohammed Ali al-Haddad, and his accompanying military delegation near Ankara, following a fatal aviation incident late Tuesday evening.

The private business jet, carrying General al-Haddad, four senior military officials, and three crew members, departed Ankara’s Esenboğa Airport at 8:17 p.m. on Tuesday en route to Libya. According to official statements, the aircraft reported an electrical malfunction to air traffic control at approximately 8:33 p.m. and requested an emergency landing.

Air traffic controllers immediately redirected the aircraft back toward Esenboğa Airport and initiated emergency procedures. However, as the jet was descending for an emergency landing, it disappeared from radar screens at 8:36 p.m., after which all contact was lost, Türkiye’s Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran confirmed.

The wreckage was later located south of Kesikkavak village in the Haymana district of Ankara province. Challenging weather conditions, including heavy overnight rainfall, dense fog, and muddy terrain, complicated rescue efforts through the night. Despite these difficulties, search and rescue operations intensified at daybreak with the deployment of additional personnel and specialized equipment.

Gendarmerie units established a strict security perimeter around the crash site, preventing civilian access and ensuring the safety of rescue teams. Due to the difficult terrain, tracked ambulances were dispatched to the area, while operations were coordinated from a mobile command center set up by Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched a comprehensive investigation into the crash. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced that four prosecutors, operating under the coordination of a chief prosecutor, have been assigned to the case.

“The investigation is being conducted comprehensively and meticulously, with all possibilities being examined,” Tunç said in a statement.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya is expected to visit the crash site to oversee the ongoing search and inspection efforts. Turkish aviation authorities, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, are also participating in the technical investigation to determine the cause of the electrical malfunction and the subsequent crash.

Libya’s Government of National Unity declared three days of national mourning following the deaths of the military delegation. Flags at all state institutions are to be flown at half-mast, while official ceremonies and public celebrations have been suspended.

In an official statement, the government extended its condolences to the families of the victims and to the Libyan armed forces, praying for mercy for the deceased and patience for their loved ones. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah instructed the Ministry of Defense to dispatch an official delegation to Ankara to coordinate closely with Turkish authorities and follow developments related to the investigation.

Libya’s Presidential Council head, Mohamed Menfi, described the incident as “a grave loss for the Libyan military establishment and for the entire nation,” praising the deceased officers for their integrity, discipline, and dedication during difficult national circumstances.

Eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar also issued a message of condolence, expressing deep sorrow over the deaths and offering sympathies to the families, tribes, and communities of the victims. The House of Representatives based in Benghazi similarly conveyed condolences, underscoring the national impact of the tragedy.

Türkiye’s Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran urged the public and media organizations to rely solely on official sources while the investigation continues.

“It is extremely important that unverified information, speculation, and conspiracy theories circulating on social media are disregarded,” Duran said, emphasizing the need for responsible reporting during the sensitive investigation process.

Authorities are expected to release further updates as rescue operations conclude and investigative findings begin to emerge. (ILKHA)