During a training exercise, a Yemeni military fighter jet crashed in Sana’a, Yemen, killing the pilot—although one report says the pilot ejected. Witnesses hearing a loud explosion on impact, and report black smoke. The pilot was named as Mohamed Shaker. In addition to the pilot, there were 12 fatalities and 18 injuries.
The pilot was returning to base after a training mission and requested authorization to land when the aircraft lost altitude and crashed.
The plane was a Russian SU-22 that struck three buildings in al-Qadissiya near Change Square. It struck a building on Rabat Avenue, then hit another and ended up on a third building. Several cars were on fire. Five bodies that were recovered were burned beyond recognition.
All of the victims were civilians and included three women and two children. Several ambulances responded. Some reports said they took a long time to arrive.
An investigation is underway.
