Qatari military helicopter crashes into sea, killing 7 including Turkish personnel

A Qatari military helicopter crashed into the sea due to a reported technical malfunction, killing all 7 people on board, including Qatari armed forces personnel, a member of the Turkish armed forces and two Turkish civilian technicians, according to officials in Qatar and Turkey.

The helicopter crashed in Qatar’s territorial waters, with Qatari and Turkish statements placing the timing between late Saturday and early Sunday local time.

Qatar’s defense ministry first said that a Qatari helicopter had suffered a technical malfunction during a routine duty mission and crashed into the country’s territorial waters, adding that search efforts were underway for the crew and passengers.

In an update on Sunday, Qatar’s Ministry of Defense said search-and-rescue teams had confirmed the deaths of four members of the Qatari armed forces, one member of the Qatar-Turkey Joint Combined Force Command and two Turkish civilian passengers.

Turkey’s defense ministry said the two Turkish civilians killed in the crash were technicians from ASELSAN, a major Turkish defense contractor. It also said the helicopter had been taking part in training activities under the Qatar-Turkey Joint Combined Force Command.

The defense ministry said the two Turkish civilians killed in the crash were technicians from ASELSAN, a major Turkish defense contractor that produces military electronics and other defense systems.

The crash happened as military cooperation between Qatar and Turkey continues under existing defense agreements. Turkish forces have had a presence in Qatar for years, and the two countries regularly conduct joint training and coordination activities.