A Turkish military F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight in the north-western province of Yalova on Wednesday, exploding into a large fireball, though the pilot ejected safely. Turkey's defence ministry confirmed the incident and said an investigation into the cause of the crash would be launched. The event highlights ongoing scrutiny of ageing fighter jet fleets and training safety, following a separate incident involving a military aircraft fire in Greece last month.

The crash occurred at Yalova Airfield Command, south-east of Istanbul, with local reports placing the site near the 18th Main Jet Base in the Ciftlikkoy district. The aircraft belonged to the Gazelle Squadron of the Eskisehir 1st Main Jet Base, a reconnaissance unit, and video footage showed a large fireball and black smoke rising from a field as another jet flew nearby. The ejected pilot was taken to Yalova Training and Research Hospital for treatment, while medical and fire crews responded to the scene.