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IRAN-AVIATION-ACCIDENT
Iran warplane crashes near dormant volcano: state media
TEHRAN, Dec 25, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – An Iranian military fighter jet crashed on
Wednesday near a dormant volcano in the northwest of the country, official
media reported.
State news agency IRNA said the jet went down at 9:00 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.
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.
BSS/AFP/RY/1610 hrs