Turkish F-16 Fighter Jet Crashes Near Highway, Pilot Killed

Turkey: A Turkish Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed near a highway in western Turkey, according to international media reports.

The Turkish Ministry of Defense stated that the aircraft took off from the 9th Main Jet Base in Balikesir on Wednesday morning. Shortly after takeoff, the jet lost all radio and radar contact.

A search and rescue operation was immediately launched, and debris from the jet was found near the highway. The pilot, Major Ibrahim Bolat, tragically lost his life in the crash.

The Ministry of Defense has formed a special investigative commission to determine the cause of the accident, while the office of the provincial Chief Public Prosecutor has also initiated its own investigation.