Turkish officials have confirmed that investigations into the crash of a private jet carrying senior Libyan military leaders will continue and that all findings will be shared publicly, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press briefing in Ankara, Yerlikaya said authorities are working to determine the cause of the aircraft’s fatal crash as it returned from an official visit to Turkey with Libya. He emphasized that the Turkish state will disclose the results of the investigation to all relevant parties once they are available.
The announcement follows a statement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who earlier confirmed the launch of a comprehensive investigation into the accident. Erdoğan said that the Turkish institutions responsible for the probe will release all pertinent information as soon as investigations are completed.
At the news conference, Yerlikaya also offered condolences for the victims, asking for mercy for their souls and extending sympathy to the Libyan people and members of the Libyan Armed Forces.
Among those who died in the crash was Mohamed Al‑Haddad, the Chief of Staff of the Government of National Unity. Also on board were Al‑Fitouri Gribil, commander of the Ground Forces; Mahmoud Juma’a Al‑Qattawi, director of military manufacturing; Mohamed Al‑Assawi, adviser to the chief of staff; and photographer Mohamed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Turkish interior minister confirmed that the flight’s black box and cockpit voice recorder were recovered and are being examined by investigators.
The aircraft lost contact shortly after departing Esenboğa Airport in Ankara for Tripoli, with authorities initially receiving a report of an emergency landing attempt near the Haymana region outside Ankara before communication was lost entirely. Later statements from the Turkish presidency indicated that the plane may have requested an emergency landing due to a reported electrical fault prior to the crash.
The pledge by Turkish authorities to release comprehensive investigation results aims to address widespread concerns surrounding the incident and provide clarity on events that have reverberated across Libya’s political and military leadership.