7 killed in reconnaissance plane crash in eastern Turkey

ANKARA -- Seven security personnel were killed after a reconnaissance plane crashed in Turkey's eastern Van Province, the state-run Anadolu agency reported on Thursday, citing Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu.

Soylu, who has arrived at the accident site, told reporters that the plane crashed on Mount Artos at an altitude of about 2,200 meters on late Wednesday and two pilots were among the dead.

Investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.

According to reports, pilots contacted the tower for the last time at 10:32 pm local time (1932 GMT) and then lost communication with radar about 15 minutes later.

The 2015 model plane "was missioned for reconnaissance and surveillance" in Van and the neighboring Hakkari province since Monday, Soylu was quoted as saying.

Governor of the Van Province, Mehmet Emin Bilmez, said on Twitter that the seven people are "heroes" of the nation and sent condolences to their families.

The remote province is located between Lake Van and the Iranian border. In early February, two consecutive avalanches in the province's mountainous Bahcesaray area killed at least 41 people.