A helicopter crash in southwestern Turkey has resulted in the deaths of four people, including two pilots, a doctor, and a hospital employee, officials confirmed. The accident occurred when the helicopter collided with the fourth floor of a hospital building in Mugla province, shortly after takeoff.
Mugla’s provincial governor, Idris Akbiyik, stated that the crash was caused by thick fog, which significantly impaired visibility during the helicopter’s departure. The helicopter was on its way to the city of Antalya when the collision occurred.
“The helicopter fell to the ground after striking the fourth storey of the hospital during take-off,” Governor Akbiyik said, confirming the fatalities. “There was intense fog,” he added, noting that authorities are investigating the circumstances of the crash.
Footage from Turkish broadcaster NTV shows the helicopter struggling to navigate the dense fog shortly after departing from the hospital rooftop. The helicopter appeared to drift in the low visibility before crashing into an empty field adjacent to the hospital.
The crash comes less than two weeks after another deadly helicopter incident in Turkey. In early December, six soldiers were killed when two military helicopters collided during a training exercise in Isparta province. The Turkish Defense Ministry did not disclose the cause of the Isparta collision, and it remains unclear if any link exists between the two incidents.
The helicopter involved in the Mugla crash had been preparing to depart from the city’s hospital roof. Although the hospital’s helipad is used regularly for medical transport, the hazardous weather conditions on the day of the crash were particularly severe. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but the fatalities were confirmed soon after the incident.
As the investigation continues, authorities are focused on understanding the precise cause of the crash, with weather conditions a key factor in their inquiry. The incident has raised concerns over helicopter safety in challenging weather conditions, especially in densely fogged areas.
