MiG-21 Fighter Jet Crash Death Toll Rises to 3

New Delhi: The death toll in the crash of the MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh on Monday rose to three.

The fighter jet was doing a routine training sortie on Monday when it crashed. The pilot escaped with minor injuries, the IAF said. An inquiry has been launched to probe the cause of the crash.

The three people lost their lives after debris from the crashed jet fell on them. They included two women.

According to IAF sources, the MiG-21 jet had taken off from Suratgarh.

“A MiG-21 aircraft of the IAF crashed near Suratgarh during a routine training sortie today morning. The pilot ejected safely, sustaining minor injuries. An inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident,” the IAF said.

The pilot experienced an onboard emergency, following which he attempted to recover the aircraft as per existing procedures. Having failed to do so, he initiated an ejection, sustaining minor injuries in the process. The pilot was recovered from about 25 kilometres North East of the crash site. The aircraft wreckage fell on a house in Bahlol Nagar in Hanumangarh District, causing loss lives. The IAF regretted the loss of lives and offered its deepest condolences to the bereaved families. A Court of Inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the reason behind this accident.