Turkey: Investigators reach US drone crash site

By Kubra Chohan

ANKARA

Investigators have reached the site where a U.S. drone crashed in southern Turkey, a statement from Turkey's Incirlik Air Base said Thursday.

It confirmed that the U.S. Air Force MQ-1 Predator crashed in a field near Adana province on Thursday at 10.15 p.m. local time (1915GMT), shortly after it departed from the base.

There have been no civilian or military casualties, the statement added.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash, while the remains of the aircraft are with the U.S. military and Turkish officials. 

Col. David Eaglin, commander of the 39th Air Base Wing, said: “At this time the safety of our host nation civilians and the recovery and security of our asset is paramount.”

“Our Airmen train continuously to respond to incidents such as this, and we are working closely with our host nation partners to ensure this is resolved without conflict.”

Initial reports of the crash came late Thursday, when the Adana province governor Mahmut Demirtas said the drone came down in the Ceyhan district of Cokcapinar.