Team News Riveting
Jaipur, May 8
Four civilians killed on the ground when an Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-21 crashed near Hanumangarh, Rajasthan on Monday morning.
The pilot however managed to eject safely and has sustained minor injuries. He has been airlifted to hospital.
“A MiG-21 aircraft of the IAF crashed near Suratgarh during a routine training sortie today morning. The pilot ejected safely, sustaining minor injuries,” the IAF said in a statement. An inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident, it added.
A senior police official said four people had died and couple of others had sustained injuries in the incident that took place in Pilibanga area of Hanumangarh district. The pilot made all efforts to avert human casualties and crash-landed the plane on the outskirts of a village, the official added. Of the victims, two are women.
The fighter plane had taken off Suratgarh airbase. Sources said the victims were standing on the roof of the house when the plane crashed.
The villagers provided first aid to the pilot before an IAF chopper landed in the area and evacuated to the IAF hospital.