UPDATE - MiG-21 military jet crashes in western Serbia

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS; ADDS REMARKS BY PRESIDENT; CHANGES DECK; REVISES LEDE

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - A Serbian military aircraft crashed Friday in western Serbia, leaving two pilots dead, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said the MiG-21 military aircraft was performing a “regular” flying mission when it crashed near the village of Brasina at 9 a.m. local time (0700GMT), and two pilots were killed in the accident.

The statement noted: "Two pilots of the Air Force and the Air Defense of the Serbian Army were killed during the crash of a MiG-21 plane in the area of ​​the village of Brasina near Mali Zvornik, performing their flying tasks. The Ministry of Defense, after informing all members of the families of the killed pilots, will inform the public about the names of the pilots."

Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin led a delegation to visit the scene and talked to eyewitnesses.

An expert committee was formed to determine the cause of the crash.

Meanwhile, President Aleksandar Vucic sent his condolences to the relatives of the pilots.

"I am deeply shocked by the news of the death of our pilots, who lived for Serbia and dedicated their entire lives to serving the homeland," said Vucic, who is currently in Turkey and met with President Erdogan in Istanbul.

The search and rescue teams were dispatched to the region.

Meanwhile, local media reported that the plane crashed into the yard of a house in the village and a person was injured.

The firefighters and police teams had already been sent to the scene.