Two pilots have been injured after an RAF jet dramatically crashed and burst into flames in Wales.
Emergency services are at the scene in the Pencarnisiog area of Anglesey on Wednesday afternoon following the crash, involving a T2 Hawk training jet which took off from the RAF Valley training base.
North Wales Police warned people to avoid the area until further notice and confirmed the two pilots are thought to have minor injuries. It is understood they were both able to eject from the jet before the crash.
Dramatic pictures and videos taken near the scene show plumes of smoke emerging from a field and what appears to be the aircraft wreckage on fire, while other images show two pilots parachuting after ejecting from the plane.
Data from FlightRadar24 shows two air ambulances departing from the scene this afternoon, with fire crews and paramedics also in attendance in the aftermath.
There have been no reports of any wider damage or injuries, police said.
The RAF said an investigation into the incident is underway.
One eyewitness told North Wales Live he had watched the aircraft take off before the crash.
Pete Bennett said: “I knew straight away that it was in trouble – right on take-off there was an orange flame and as it accelerated it was basically on fire.
“As it gained altitude, the flame disappeared but it was clearly in trouble.
“It climbed at an aggressive pitch… It pitched twice violently in the air and then there were two clear loud bangs.
“The pilots ejected and both parachutes opened.”
Defence secretary Wes Streeting said an investigation had been launched into the crash.
“My thoughts are first and foremost with the pilots,” he wrote on X. “We will provide further updates in due course.”
North Wales Police said in a statement: “Local officers are currently in attendance to reports of an incident involving an RAF training aircraft in the Pencarnisiog area of Anglesey, alongside colleagues from the Royal Air Force, North Wales Fire and Rescue Services, Welsh Ambulance Service University Health Trust and Helimed.
“Two pilots are being treated for what are thought to be minor injuries and at this stage there are no reports of any wider damage or injuries.
“Please avoid the area until further notice. Updates will be issued when appropriate.”
RAF Valley sits on the Welsh island of Anglesey and is a training base for the air force’s fighter pilots.
A Royal Air Force spokesperson said: “An incident involving an RAF T2 Hawk aircraft, flying out of RAF Valley, occurred near Anglesey. An investigation is underway and we will not comment further at this time.”
