Warfare in News

Two RAF Tornado aircraft reportedly crashed into the Moray Firth at around 2pm on Tuesday, 3 July. Two people are said to have been picked up by helicopter.

The Tornado GR-4s are said to be from RAF Lossiemouth and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and RNLI have all been alerted. A search and rescue operation is understood to be underway.

One of the jets has been spotted in the water but the other is currently classed as 'missing' but there are no details of any casualties at this time. The crash is believed to have occurred near the Beatrice oilfield.

An RAF spokesman has said:

'We are aware of an incident involving two Tornado GR-4s from RAF Lossiemouth on the Moray Firth. We are investigating the incident and further information will be provided when possible'

Lifeboats from Wick, Buckie and Invergordon were sent out, along with a helicopter from the island of Stornoway.

The search operation was called off late last night due to adverse weather conditions, but pieces of aircraft fuselage were recovered in the harbour close to RAF Lossiemouth.

Two RAF Tornado aircraft reportedly crashed into the Moray Firth at around 2pm on Tuesday, 3 July. Two people are said to have been picked up by helicopter. The Tornado GR-4s are said to be from RAF Lossiemouth and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and RNLI have all been alerted. A search and rescue operation is understood to be underway. One of the jets has been spotted in the water but the other is currently classed as 'missing' but there are no details of any casualties at this time. The crash is believed to have occurred near the Beatrice oilfield. An RAF spokesman has said: [i]'We are aware of an incident involving two Tornado GR-4s from RAF Lossiemouth on the Moray Firth. We are investigating the incident and further information will be provided when possible'[/i] Lifeboats from Wick, Buckie and Invergordon were sent out, along with a helicopter from the island of Stornoway. The search operation was called off late last night due to adverse weather conditions, but pieces of aircraft fuselage were recovered in the harbour close to RAF Lossiemouth.