Seven killed in Qatar helicopter crash due to technical malfunction

Four of them were Qatari forces personnel, one from Qatar-Turkey joint forces, two technicians

Seven people ​have been killed in ‌a helicopter crash in Qatar's territorial waters, Qatar and Turkey said ​on Sunday.

The Qatari and ​Turkish defence ministries said the ⁠helicopter had crashed after suffering ​a technical malfunction, which the ​Qatari ministry said was during "routine duty".

Four of those killed were Qatari armed ​forces personnel, one was ​from the Qatar-Turkey joint forces and two ‌were ⁠technicians, the Turkish and Qatari defence ministries said.

تعلن وزارة الدفاع القطرية أنه بعد انتهاء عمليات البحث والإنقاذ عن طاقم وأفراد الطائرة المروحية المخصصة لنقل الأفراد التي سقطت فجر اليوم الأحد في المياه الإقليمية للدولة، فقد تأكد استشهاد النقيب (طيار) سعيد ناصر صميخ من منتسبي القوات المسلحة القطرية.

وتتقدم وزارة الدفاع بخالص… pic.twitter.com/9HjDjSt3Ng

— وزارة الدفاع - دولة قطر (@MOD_Qatar) March 22, 2026

"Military cooperation and coordination activities between the ​Republic of ​Turkey ⁠and the State of Qatar continue uninterrupted within ​the framework of existing ​agreements ⁠and plans," the Turkish defence ministry said.

According to Qatar's Ministry of Interior statement on X, Following the helicopter crash in the state's territorial waters, all seven individuals who were on board have been found, and their martyrdom has been confirmed.
 

Press Release regarding the findings of the seventh and final missing person in the helicopter crash incident within the State’s territorial waters.#MOIQatar pic.twitter.com/ZK0cVCEJjJ

— Ministry of Interior - Qatar (@MOI_QatarEn) March 22, 2026