Aug 14, 2021 - World

Russian plane sent to fight Turkey's wildfires crashes, 8 dead

Oriana González

Picture of plane crash — Photo: Turkish Ministry of Agriculture And Forestry/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

A Russian plane that was sent to Turkey to fight the wildfires crashed Saturday, killing all eight people on board, state news agency TASS reports.

What they're saying: "Five Russian military crew members and three citizens of the Republic of Turkey who were on board the Russian Be-200 plane crashed in the Republic of Turkey," the Russian defense ministry said, per TASS.

State of play: Russian defense officials have been sent to the crash scene to investigate the cause, CNN notes.

The plane had been sent by Russia on July 8.

Catch up quick: Turkey has been battling deadly wildfires on the southern and western parts of the country. Thousands of tourists have been told to evacuate and at least eight people have died.

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Russian plane sent to fight Turkey's wildfires crashes, 8 dead

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