Doha, Qatar – The Qatari Ministry of Defense issued an official statement today revealing the results of the ongoing search and rescue operations for the crew and passengers of the helicopter used for transporting personnel. The helicopter crashed this morning in the country’s territorial waters. The statement confirmed the deaths of six passengers. Efforts are continuing to locate one missing person.
The Ministry mourned with immense pride and honor the “martyrs of duty” from the Qatari Armed Forces: Captain Pilot Mubarak Salem Dawai Al-Marri, Sergeant Fahad Hadi Ghanem Al-Khayarin, and Corporal Mohammed Maher Mohammed.
The list of martyrs also included Major Sinan Taştekin from the joint Qatari-Turkish forces, as well as the Turkish civilians Süleyman Cemra Kahraman and İsmail Anas Can, who were on board the aircraft as technical collaborators.
The statement explained that specialized teams are continuing their intensive search operations at sea for Captain Pilot Saeed Nasser Samikh, a member of the Qatari Armed Forces. He remains missing at the time of this report.
The Ministry of Defense extended its deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs in the State of Qatar and the sisterly Republic of Turkey. The Ministry prayed to God Almighty to grant them His mercy and admit them to Paradise, affirming that the sacrifices of the nation’s protectors will forever be a beacon illuminating the path of dedication and duty.
