2025 Metina cave poisonings

The methane incident in the Metina cave occurred on July 6 and 7, 2025 in northern Iraq, in the mountainous region of Metina, under the control of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The event resulted in the death of 12 Turkish soldiers and 14-19 injured, following methane gas poisoning that occurred during a military operation as part of  Operation Claw-Lock.

Reactions
The Turkish Ministry of Defence expressed its condolences and praised the courage of the soldiers. A military investigation has been opened to determine the precise circumstances of the methane buildup in the cave.

Criticism has also emerged on the preparedness and safety of troops operating in potentially dangerous underground areas.

The PKK, for its part, did not claim or comment on the incident, not being directly involved in the deaths.

 References 

Category:July 2025 events
Category:2020s in Turkey
Category:2020s in Iraq
Category:Military of Turkey
Category:Iraqi Kurdistan
Category:Disasters in the 2020s
Category:Poisons
Category:Disasters in Asia