Turkey reports loss of contact with business jet

Details of the incident

The jet, tail number 9H-DFJ, took off from Esenboga Airport in Ankara at 20:10 local time, bound for Tripoli. Contact was lost at 20:52 local time, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

Passengers on board

Among the five passengers was General Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, Libya’s chief of general staff.

Emergency signals and explosion reports

The aircraft issued an emergency landing signal near Haymana, 74 km (45 miles) from Ankara, but no further contact could be established. Turkish media reported images of an explosion in the area near the signal location.

Ongoing response

Authorities in Turkey are actively monitoring the situation. Turkey maintains close ties with the UN-backed government in Tripoli, providing economic and military support.