Turkey: Agriculture minister's jet makes urgent landing

UPDATES WITH COMMENTS FROM MINISTER BEKIR PAKDEMIRLI; REVISES HEAD, DECK

By Deniz Cicek Palabiyik and Orhan Yoldas

ANKARA (AA) - A flight carrying Turkey's agriculture and forestry minister was forced to make an emergency landing in the eastern Malatya province on Friday, but all aboard are reportedly unhurt, said aviation sources.

The plane had to make an emergency landing at Malatya Erhac Airport about 40 minutes after takeoff due to engine trouble, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the military.

Bekir Pakdemirli had left the capital Ankara for the southeastern Sirnak province on a plane belonging to the Forestry Directorate at 10 a.m. local time (0700GMT).

Among the nine people on the plane, including two crew members, were a lawmaker of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, a deputy agriculture and forestry minister, and other officials.

Speaking to reporters after landing, Pakdemirli said a loud noise came from the engine fans when the aircraft was at around 33,000 feet.

He added that the noise persisted despite the plane lowering its altitude.

"Logistically, we decided to land at Malatya Airport," he said.