Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter jet crashed under unknown circumstances near Mount Sabalan, Lesser Caucasus range – Iran.
According to the semi-official ILNA news agency report, both pilots died in the crash.
A helicopter from the Red Crescent has been dispatched to the crash site near Sabalan mountain, according to ILNA.
State news agency IRNA said the jet went down at 9 am (0530 GMT) near Mount Sabalan, in the Lesser Caucasus range, and was a MiG-29 on a test flight after being overhauled.
Amateur video footage published on the social media accounts of various media outlets in Iran appeared to show smoke rising above snow-capped peaks.
Another visual showing Sabalan mountain and smokes pic.twitter.com/ZliEmkp5mm
— Iranian Observatory 🦀 (@IranianWatchdog) December 25, 2019
A search and rescue operation was launched for the plane and its crew.
“Following the crash of a military plane in Ardabil (province), helicopter and rescue groups have been sent to the region,” Iran’s Red Crescent said in a statement on its website.
Iran’s third highest peak, Mount Sabalan, features a crater that turns into a lake at certain times of the year.
