Erdogan: Turkey stands with Libya after fatal military plane crash. Photo via AA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that a full investigation had been launched into the crash of an aircraft carrying a Libyan military delegation, describing the incident as “deeply saddening”.

Speaking at a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara, Erdogan extended condolences to the Libyan people, the armed forces and the Libyan government, following the death of the Chief of the General Staff and other officials who were on board.

The Falcon 50 business jet crashed shortly after taking off from Esenboga Airport, where it had departed en route to the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

Turkish authorities later located the wreckage approximately two kilometres south of the village of Kesikkavak, in Ankara’s Haymana district.

Search and rescue operations continued through the night despite heavy rain and dense fog, with efforts being coordinated from a mobile command centre established by Türkiye’s disaster management agency, AFAD.

Officials said all circumstances surrounding the crash would be examined as part of the ongoing investigation.