Four killed in helicopter crash at Turkish hospital

Police forensic experts examine the wreckage of an ambulance helicopter after it collided with a hospital building and crashed into the ground, in Mugla, Turkey, December 22, 2024. REUTERS

Four people were killed in southwest Turkey on Sunday when an ambulance helicopter collided with a hospital building and crashed into the ground.

The health ministry said in a statement that the helicopter was taking off from the Mugla Training and Research Hospital, carrying two pilots, a doctor, and another medical worker.

Mugla's regional governor, Idris Akbiyik, told reporters the helicopter first hit the fourth floor of the hospital building before crashing into the ground. No one inside the building or on the ground was hurt. The cause of the accident, which took place during heavy fog, was being investigated.

Footage from the site showed debris from the crash scattered around the area outside the hospital building, with several ambulances and emergency teams at the scene.