07.07.2025 15:15
The rescue teams of the Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise (TTK) that departed from Zonguldak at night retrieved our soldiers who were martyred due to methane gas poisoning in the Pençe-Kilit Operation Area from the cave.
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During the search and rescue operations in the Pençe Kilit Operation Area, 19 soldiers who entered a cave previously used as a hospital by members of the separatist terrorist organization PKK were poisoned by methane gas. 12 of the soldiers became martyrs due to methane gas poisoning. It was reported that 6 soldiers are still receiving treatment in the hospital they were taken to.
10-PERSON TEAM ENTERED THE CAVE
TTK rescue teams, trained in methane gas search and rescue, were dispatched to the region by helicopter at the request of the Ministry of National Defense at night. A 10-person team moving from Zonguldak entered the cave where the soldiers were poisoned and participated in the rescue operation.
TTK TEAM REMOVED THE MARTYRS' BODIES FROM THE CAVE
General Mine Workers' Union President Hakan Yeşil, who wished God's mercy for the martyrs and condolences to their families and the Turkish nation, said, "The news of our martyrs has plunged our country and us into mourning. Upon receiving the news, our expert friends from the TTK rescue team moved to the area with their equipment due to methane gas poisoning. 10 of our friends from the TTK rescue team participated in the search and rescue operation there. According to the information we received, their mission is complete, and they will return to Zonguldak. We are very saddened. May our country's head be held high again. May God grant patience to their relatives," he said.
HERE ARE THE IDENTITIES OF OUR MARTYRS
Infantry Lieutenant Furkan Sert
Infantry Sergeant Major Fikret Mangura
Infantry Specialist Sergeant Enver Yaman
Infantry Specialist Sergeant Kani Obi
Engineering Specialist Sergeant Ümit Üzüm
Infantry Contracted Private Celalettin Uyanık
Infantry Contracted Private Ahmet Gültekin
Engineering First Lieutenant Ege Akar
Sergeant Major Abdurrahman Akdoğan
Infantry Contracted Mahsun Yeşildemir
Infantry Contracted Özkan Özkanlı
Infantry Contracted Ahmet Kuşak
MINISTRY REVEALED DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT
In its initial statement, the Ministry of National Defense provided details of the incident. The statement included the following remarks: "During the cave search and cleaning operation conducted on May 28, 2022, as part of the Pençe-Kilit Operation, Infantry Captain Nuri Melih Bozkurt was martyred as a result of fire opened by terrorists, and his body could not be reached due to intense fire. The area has been secured, and the terrorists have been neutralized, but despite all searches, the body of our martyr has not yet been reached. All areas where the body may be found are being meticulously searched by specially organized teams. In the ongoing search operations, during the search and rescue operation conducted on July 6, 2025, in a cave at an altitude of 852 meters, known to have been previously used as a hospital and cleared of terrorists, 19 of our personnel were exposed to methane gas and were immediately evacuated to the hospital; despite all interventions, five of our heroic personnel have become martyrs."
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