By Ekrem Payan and Sarp Ozer
UPDATES WITH NUMBER OF CASUALTIES AND STATEMENT FROM TURKISH GENERAL STAFF; EDITS THROUGHOUT; CHANGES HEADLINE
SIRNAK, Turkey (AA) - Thirteen people were martyred Wednesday in the crash of a Cougar type military helicopter in the southern Turkish province of Sirnak, said the Turkish General Staff.
The helicopter crashed after hitting a high-voltage power line three minutes after taking off, the province governor’s office said in a statement late Wednesday.
All 13 military personnel aboard perished in the crash, said the Turkish General Staff.
Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik is headed to Sirnak.