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Two fighter planes crash in Inner Mongolia

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-25 17:25

HOHHOT -- Authorities said that it was two fighter aircraft, not helicopters, that crashed after colliding during a drill early on Wednesday near the capital city of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

New information from local officials said that two Chinese fighter aircraft -- the model is known as the Jian-8 -- collided over Qingshuihe County in the suburbs of Hohhot, at 8:50 a.m.

The crash was reported to the authorities at 9:45 a.m., according to a local government source.

One of the planes, both attached to the Shenyang Military Area Command of the People's Liberation Army, exploded in Wulipo, Jiucai Township, leaving only the tail intact.

The other craft caught fire in a Village. Both crash sites were cordoned off.

Both pilots parachuted to safety. They sustained minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital.

The accident was initially said to have involved two helicopters, with machinists trapped in the wreckage.