Methane gas kills 12 Turkish soldiers in Iraq operation

They were searching a cave to recover the body of a comrade who had been shot in 2022.

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At least 19 personnel were exposed to the gas during the search and clear operation on Sunday, and immediately taken to hospital. By Monday, 12 had died, the ministry said.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he received the news with "great sorrow" and extended his condolences to the soldiers' families and to the Turkish Armed Forces.

Methane gas is not directly toxic, but can be deadly as it can become suffocating, especially in tight, enclosed spaces.

It remains unclear why the cave contained enough methane gas to make it lethal.