A Turkish Air Force F-16 crashes near a major highway

A Turkish Air Force F‑16 fighter jet crashed near a highway in western Turkiye early Wednesday, martyring its pilot, officials and media reports said, citing Turkish media.

Radio and radar contact with the jet was lost shortly after midnight after it took off from the 9th Main Jet Base in Balikesir province, according to a defense ministry statement.

The city's Governer, İsmail Ustaoğlu, said: "One of our F-16 aircraft belonging to the squadron of the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command crashed during a mission flight around 00:50, and one of our pilots has been martyred. I pray to Allah for mercy upon our martyr and offer my condolences to his family. May our esteemed nation’s head be consoled."