Turkey: Firefighting helicopter crashes, three crew members missing

A firefighting helicopter crashed into a water reservoir with four people onboard while responding to a wildfire in Turkey's western province of Izmir province.

Turkish Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said on Twitter (X) that the chopper crashed into the Tahtali reservoir in Izmir's Menderes district after contact was lost with it.

He added that one of the four personnel was rescued and search and rescue efforts continue for the others.

The fire broke out yesterday in a woodland near the village of Keler in Menderes.

The incident took place around midnight as a helicopter with night vision went down while siphoning water from the reservoir. The reason for the crash remains unknown.

One of the crew members managed to swim ashore, while three went missing.