Greek F-16 Crash in Spain Exercise Kills 10

A Greek F-16 fighter jet crashed into other planes on the ground during NATO training in southeastern Spain today, killing at least 10 people, Spain's Defense Ministry says. Another 13 people were injured in the incident at the Los Llanos base, which sent flames and a plume of black smoke billowing into the air, a Defense Ministry official says. Seven were in serious condition, one person was treated and released from hospital, while the conditions of the five others were not disclosed.

The two-seat jet was taking off but lost thrust and crashed into an area of the base where other planes involved in the NATO exercise were parked, the ministry said. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he was "deeply saddened by the crash of a Greek fighter jet at the Los Llanos base in Spain, which has caused many casualties." He did not specify their nationalities in a statement, but called the crash "a tragedy that affects the whole NATO family." Emergency crews were working to douse the blaze and determine how much damage there was to other planes involved in the NATO exercise. The Spanish ministry says the jet that crashed was taking part in a NATO training exercise called the Tactical Leadership Program. (More F-16 stories.)