The government, on Sunday morning, had announced that a Qatari military helicopter crashed in the Gulf state’s waters after a “technical malfunction”.
Four Qatar Armed Forces personnel and three Turkish nationals are among the seven people confirmed dead after a military helicopter crash in Qatar’s territorial waters on Sunday, authorities said.
From the Qatar Armed Forces, the dead have been identified as Captain (Pilot) Mubarak Salem Daway Al-Marri, Sergeant Fahad Hadi Ghanem Al-Khayarin, Corporal Mohammed Maher Mohammed and Captain (Pilot) Saeed Nasser Samekh.
The Turkish dead comprise Major (Air Defense) Sinan Taştekin and two Aselsan technicians, Suleiman Cemra Kahraman and Ismail Anas Can.
“The following have been confirmed martyred:Captain (Pilot) Mubarak Salem Daway Al-Marri, Sergeant Fahad Hadi Ghanem Al-khayarin, and Corporal Mohammed Maher Mohammed from Qatar Armed Forces, Major (Air Defense) Sinan Taştekin from Qatar – Turkey Joint Forces, and Turkish civilian collaborators, passengers on the helicopter Suleiman Cemra Kahraman and Ismail Anas Can.” said previous a statement from Qatar’s Ministry of Defence on Sunday.
تعلن وزارة الدفاع القطرية أنه في إطار عمليات البحث والانقاذ المستمرة عن طاقم وأفراد الطائرة المروحية المخصصة لنقل الأفراد التي سقطت فجر اليوم الأحد في المياه الإقليمية للدولة، فقد تأكد استشهاد كل من النقيب (طيار) مبارك سالم دواي المري، والرقيب فهد هادي غانم الخيارين، والوكيل عريف… pic.twitter.com/y3reoUyxe1
— وزارة الدفاع – دولة قطر (@MOD_Qatar) March 22, 2026
The previous statement, posted on X, added that “search and rescue operations” in the country’s territorial waters had located six of the seven people on board.
ّ”The death of those who were found has been confirmed, while specialised teams continue their intensive operations to find the last missing person.” the statement said.
The ministry extended condolences to the families of the victims.
As the day progressed, Qatari authorities announced the recovery of the seventh body.
“All seven bodies have now been recovered.” said the Ministry of Defence’s statement on X on Sunday.
The government, on Sunday morning, had announced that a Qatari military helicopter crashed in the Gulf state’s waters after a “technical malfunction”.
Seven people were on board, with Qatar’s interior ministry announced, saying specialised operations continue to find the last missing person.
“The Ministry of Defense of the State of Qatar announces that a Qatari helicopter had a technical malfunction during a routine duty, which led to its crash in the regional waters of the State. A search operation for its crew members and passengers is in progress.” the statement said.
تعلن وزارة الدفاع القطرية عن تعرض طائرة مروحية قطرية إلى عطل فني أثناء تأدية واجب روتيني، مما أدى إلى سقوطها في المياه الإقليمية للدولة، وجاري البحث عن طاقمها والركاب.
The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announces that a Qatari helicopter had technical malfunction during a… pic.twitter.com/5yaYHa6KoW
— وزارة الدفاع – دولة قطر (@MOD_Qatar) March 22, 2026
The incident has happened amid heightened regional tensions since February 28, 2026.
