    Twelve Turkish soldiers were killed after being exposed to methane gas while searching a cave in Iraq. The Turkish Ministry of National Defence said, at least 19 personnel were exposed to the gas during the search and clear operation , and were immediately taken to the hospital.
The Ministry said, out of them, 12 soldiers have lost their lives. The soldiers were searching for the body of a soldier who was killed in gunfire during a military operation led by Türkiye against militants from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Iraq, which included air strikes on caves as well as a ground incursion. Methane gas is not directly toxic, butit can be deadly as it can become suffocating, especially in tight, enclosed spaces.Â
