Set out for a world tour, crashed on the Bayburt-Erzurum border: 'Help us, we are dying'

An M20J single-engine aircraft piloted by Mehmet Demirci, which took off from the Sivrihisar district of Eskişehir, crashed on the Erzurum-Trabzon-Bayburt border.

Following an emergency call from passenger Hicran Kaya, whom pilot Demirci had picked up to take from Sivrihisar to Rize, teams launched a search and rescue operation in the area.

A military helicopter joined the search efforts, while AFAD teams from neighboring provinces also provided support.

‘HELP US, WE ARE DYING’

Passenger Hicran Kaya, in contact with authorities, stated that they were in life-threatening danger, saying, “Our plane hit a mountain. I don't know where we are. Help us, we are dying.” Search and rescue operations are continuing intensively.

HAD TAKEN OFF WITH A DREAM OF A WORLD TOUR

On the other hand, it was learned that pilot Mehmet Demirci has been flying actively since 2008. It was stated that Demirci, who set out with a single-engine plane to complete a solo world tour, planned to drop off his passenger, Hicran Kaya, in Rize and continue his journey.

STATEMENTS FROM THE GOVERNORS OF ERZURUM AND BAYBURT

Erzurum Governor Mustafa Çiftçi stated that teams are conducting search operations in both Bayburt and the Pazaryolu district of Erzurum, adding, "Our District Governor is heading to the area where the plane is believed to have crashed with the teams."

Bayburt Governor Mustafa Eldivan explained that upon receiving a report in the evening hours at the Erzurum 112 emergency center that a private plane with two people on board had crashed, AFAD, UMKE, gendarmerie, police, and 112 Emergency Health teams were mobilized.

Eldivan noted the following:

"Currently, our search and rescue efforts are continuing alongside location tracking. What is certain is that the plane crashed and there are 2 injured people. I spoke with the female survivor. We gave them our word that we would rescue them. I hope we will rescue them safe and sound before the night is over."

AFAD PROVIDED THE LATEST STATUS

The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) stated that search efforts are ongoing to reach the wreckage of the crashed plane.

The following statements were included in the announcement made by AFAD regarding the matter:

"Information was received that a plane with 2 people on board, which took off from Sivrihisar and was heading to Rize, crashed between Erzurum and Rize at 18:18. To the scene; 12 vehicles, 2 drones, and 52 personnel from Bayburt, Rize, and Erzurum AFAD teams, 1 rescue helicopter from the Ministry of National Defense, 2 reconnaissance aircraft, 110 personnel, and search dogs from the Gendarmerie General Command, 1 UAV, 2 vehicles, and 5 personnel from the General Directorate of Security, 112 Health teams, and 2 vehicles and 10 personnel from AKUT have been dispatched. Search efforts are continuing in the area where the report was received, using drones and aircraft equipped with thermal and night-vision cameras."