Jet fighter crashes in Yemeni capital Sanaa Published duration 13 May 2013

image caption The plane came down in residential district

A jet fighter has crashed in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, killing the pilot.

The Soviet-made Sukhoi plane crashed into the al-Asbahi residential district in southern Sanaa, a military official said.

The incident took place as the plane was returning from a training exercise, AP reports.

Fragments were scattered across the district and the official said several people were slightly injured.

Witnesses said the Sukhoi SU-22 had exploded in mid-air.

The crash left a crater several metres wide and caused light damage to buildings, reportedly setting four houses on fire.

Security forces cordoned off the area and the defence ministry has begun an inquiry.