Spain jet crash deaths rise to 11 as French airman dies Published duration 27 January 2015

image copyright Reuters image caption Both of the jet fighter's pilots were killed in the crash

A ninth French national has died after a crash involving a Greek F-16 fighter jet at a Spanish military base, officials say.

The airman suffered serious burns in the crash and died on Tuesday at a Madrid hospital, Spain's defence ministry announced.

It brings the death toll from Monday's accident to 11, including the pilots.

Spanish investigators are trying to find out what caused the crash at Los Llanos air base in Albacete.

Defence ministry officials have said that the F-16 "lost power" after take-off from the base, which lies 260km (160 miles) south-east of Madrid.

In Greece, the defence ministry announced a three-day period of mourning beginning on Tuesday to mark the deaths of the Greek pilots.

'Incorrect manoeuvre'

The plane came down about 1,000ft (305m) from the runway.

Local media reports said one of the two Greek pilots had performed an incorrect manoeuvre, though this has not been confirmed.

Among the injured were 11 Italians and nine French nationals, according to the Associated Press news agency.

Spanish officials said the jet had been participating in a Nato training exercise called the Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP).

The TLP is not part of the Nato structure but is an organisation formed under an agreement between 10 Nato nations.

Its aim is to increase the effectiveness of allied air forces through the development of leadership skills.

image copyright EPA image caption Personnel from different Nato states were using the base

Related Topics Greece

Nato

Madrid

Spain