A Turkish Air Force C-130 Hercules crashed today after disintegrating over Georgia.

According to flight tracking software FlightRadar24, the accident occurred just 22 minutes after takeoff from Ganja International Airport. The plane was en route to Turkey.

"A C130 military cargo plane that had taken off from Azerbaijan to our country crashed on the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan. The search and rescue operations were launched in coordination with the Azerbaijani and Georgian authorities," reads a message from the Turkish Ministry of Defence. There were 20 people on board at the time of the crash.

Search and Rescue Operations

In the wake of the C-130 crash, search and rescue operations have been launched, involving both Azerbaijani and Georgian authorities. These coordinated efforts are crucial, as they aim to locate any survivors and recover the wreckage from the challenging terrain of the affected region.

The rugged landscape, which consists of mountainous areas and dense forests, poses significant challenges for the search teams. Local expertise is crucial in these scenarios, as they understand the geographical intricacies and can navigate the complexities of the environment effectively.

Officials involved in the search operations emphasize the commitment to maximizing recovery efforts as long as there remains a possibility of survival among the crew and passengers. The ongoing searches represent both a humanitarian effort and the technical complexities of recovering wreckage, particularly when the flight path remains unclear.

VIDEO: Turkish C-130 Crash

A video from the accident shows parts of the aircraft falling to the ground.

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This is a developing story. More information will be posted as it becomes available.