Kuwait's Ministry of Defense confirmed that several U.S. military aircraft crashed within Kuwait on Monday. The planes are believed to be F-15E models. All crew members survived and are reported to be in stable condition. Meanwhile, social media circulated footage showing a pilot ejecting safely from one of the aircraft.
The statement followed the release of a video verified by international media showing the fighter jet crashing in Kuwait, with the pilot ejecting and parachuting safely to the ground.
Colonel Said Al-Atwan, spokesperson for Kuwait's Ministry of Defense, said that relevant agencies immediately launched search and rescue operations following the incidents. The crew were evacuated from the crash sites and taken to hospitals for medical evaluation and necessary care. He added that all crew members are in stable condition with no fatalities reported from the incidents.
The Ministry of Defense spokesperson also stated that Kuwaiti authorities are directly coordinating with U.S. agencies to follow the appropriate procedures and closely monitor the situation.
CNN's website shared video footage showing a military aircraft crashing in Kuwait about 10 kilometers from the U.S. Ali Al Salem Air Base. The cause of the crash remains unclear.
Analysis of the CNN video suggests the twin-engine fighter jets resemble either the F-15E or F/A-18 models. Kuwait also operates F/A-18 fighter jets. CNN has reached out to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comments.
Additionally, Reuters reported that eyewitnesses saw smoke rising near the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, where fire trucks and ambulances were present.
The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait issued a statement advising the public not to travel to the embassy, following AFP reporters' observations of smoke near the embassy on the third day of Iran's retaliatory attacks in the Persian Gulf.
The embassy statement said, "There remains a threat of missile and drone attacks over Kuwait. Please do not travel to the embassy. Seek shelter in the lowest accessible part of your residence, away from windows. Do not go outside." It added, "U.S. embassy personnel are taking shelter in place."
/sourceCNN