Vietnam is continuing its search for the pilots of two Russian-made fighter jet Su-22M4 believed to have crashed into the sea 15km north of Phu Quy Island yesterday (April 16).
Two Su-22 jets of the Vietnam Air Force
Signals were lost from the two military aircraft from the Air Division 370, based at Thanh Son Military Airport in Ninh Thuan Province, at 11.45am during a training exercise. Crew from a fishing ship said there was a collision and the jets fell from the sky.
Search and rescue teams reported finding a piece of parachute and three fuel tanks, but the pilots remain missing.
Major General Do Minh Tuan, Vice Commander of the Vietnam Air Force, said each jet was carrying one pilot and the collision report was being investigated.
The air force, border guards and rescue teams in Binh Thuan Province are involved in the search, which was halted at nightfall and resumed at first light on April 17.
Tuan said finding the two pilots was a priority.
The Sukhoi Su-22, built by the former Soviet Union, has been in service in the Vietnam Air Force since 1979.
