Turkish F-16 fighter jet crashes in Balikesir province

Ambulances wait as search teams are at the scene after a Turkish F-16 fighter jet crashed in western Balikesir province. (Photo/AA)

A Turkish F-16 fighter jet has crashed in northwestern Balikesir province, the pilot martyred, the National Defence Ministry has said.

Radio contact and tracking information were lost with the aircraft after it took off from the 9th Main Jet Base Command in Balikesir at 12.56 am local time (2156 GMT Tuesday), the ministry said in a statement.

Search and rescue operations were immediately launched, and the wreckage was later located, it added.

"Our pilot was martyred. The cause of the accident will be determined following an investigation by the crash examination team," the ministry said, offering condolences to the pilot's family.

Balikesir Governor Ismail Ustaoglu also offered his condolences to the pilot's family.

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Source: TRT