Thirteen Turkish troops killed in helicopter crash in Sirnak

A Turkish Air Force AS-532AL Cougar helicopter takes off from Incirlik airbase in the southern city of Adana on July 27, 2015. (Photo by Reuters)

Thirteen Turkish troops have died in a helicopter crash in the country’s southeastern Sirnak province.

The Cougar military chopper went down on Wednesday after hitting an electrical power line close to the border with Iraq, killing all on board.

"Our hero comrades in the helicopter fell as martyrs," said a statement released by the Turkish army.

It added that initial investigations show that the crash was due to pilot error.

In March, a helicopter with seven passengers on board crashed in the Turkish city of Istanbul, killing all aboard.  

The Sikorsky S-76 helicopter, which is owned by Turkish conglomerate Eczacibasi, came down shortly after takeoff from Istanbul's Ataturk airport.