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RAF crew injured in Cyprus crash UK personnel hurt in Cyprus crash
(about 4 hours later)
Two RAF men have been injured after they were forced to eject from their Harrier aircraft, which crashed on to a runway in Cyprus. Two British military personnel have been injured after they ejected from their Harrier aircraft, which crashed on to a runway in Cyprus.
The crew members, who have not been named, were involved in a training exercise at the Akrotiri base when it is believed the plane caught fire. The crew members were on a training exercise at the Akrotiri base when it is thought the plane caught fire.
They were taken to hospital with "non-life-threatening" injuries, a UK forces spokeswoman said. They were taken to hospital with "non-life-threatening" injuries, officials said. Next of kin have been informed.
An investigation into the incident is under way. The pair both serve with 20 squadron, a training squadron for navy and RAF crews, based at RAF Wittering, Cambs.
An air crash investigation team is being assembled, and their investigation will determine the facts MoD spokesman The incident occurred just after 1510 local time (1310 GMT). An air crash investigation team is being assembled, and their investigation will determine the facts MoD spokesman
The incident occurred just after 3.10pm local time (1.10pm GMT) , the spokeswoman said. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We can confirm that a Harrier aircraft crashed on to the runway at RAF Akrotiri during a training sortie.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We can confirm that a Harrier aircraft crashed on to the runway at RAF Akrotiri on the afternoon of Monday February 9 during a training sortie.
"The two personnel on board both ejected safely. An air crash investigation team is being assembled, and their investigation will determine the facts."The two personnel on board both ejected safely. An air crash investigation team is being assembled, and their investigation will determine the facts.
"It would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause of the incident.""It would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause of the incident."
Akrotiri airfield opened in 1956 and is a permanent base for 84 Squadron, which performs search and rescue duties as well as supporting UN peacekeeping forces on the island. The Ministry of Defence was unable to confirm whether the personnel were from the RAF or Royal Navy.
The airfield is also used by the RAF for training and as a staging post for transport aircraft. Akrotiri airfield opened in 1956 and is a permanent base for 84 Squadron, which performs search-and-rescue duties as well as supporting UN peacekeeping forces on the island.
The Red Arrows display team also practises at the base from late March onward each year. The airfield is also used as a staging post for transport aircraft as well as for training.
The Red Arrows display team also practises at the base from late March each year.