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Tornado jet crash: Search and rescue now 'a recovery operation' Tornado jet crash: Search and rescue now 'a recovery operation'
(40 minutes later)
Two missing air crew are feared dead as officials confirmed the search for them in the Moray Firth has become a recovery operation.Two missing air crew are feared dead as officials confirmed the search for them in the Moray Firth has become a recovery operation.
Two Tornado GR4 jets from RAF Lossiemouth, in north east Scotland, are thought to have crashed on Tuesday.Two Tornado GR4 jets from RAF Lossiemouth, in north east Scotland, are thought to have crashed on Tuesday.
Two of the four men involved were airlifted to hospital but there are no details on their condition.Two of the four men involved were airlifted to hospital but there are no details on their condition.
Searches had been made for the other two men but the Coastguard said the focus was now on recovery.Searches had been made for the other two men but the Coastguard said the focus was now on recovery.
RAF personnel have boarded a vessel at Buckie harbour on the Moray coast.
The vessel, called Smit Yare, appeared to be preparing to leave port to take part in the salvage operation.
Coastguard spokesman Fred Caygill said: "The search and rescue phase of the mission was terminated at 7.04pm yesterday evening.Coastguard spokesman Fred Caygill said: "The search and rescue phase of the mission was terminated at 7.04pm yesterday evening.
"We are now in a recovery phase."We are now in a recovery phase.
"We stand by to assist the Ministry of Defence in any way that we can if required.""We stand by to assist the Ministry of Defence in any way that we can if required."
Wreckage from one of the aircraft was recovered by the Buckie lifeboat, the location of the second is not yet known.Wreckage from one of the aircraft was recovered by the Buckie lifeboat, the location of the second is not yet known.
Police and the Coastguard have been patrolling shorelines and members of the public have been asked to report any other debris found.Police and the Coastguard have been patrolling shorelines and members of the public have been asked to report any other debris found.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Prime Minister David Cameron said the thoughts of MPs were with the families and friends of the air crew involved.Speaking in the House of Commons, Prime Minister David Cameron said the thoughts of MPs were with the families and friends of the air crew involved.
He said the circumstances of the incident remained uncertain and investigations were continuing.He said the circumstances of the incident remained uncertain and investigations were continuing.
Mr Cameron added that the incident was also a reminder of the risks military personnel took in training as well as active operations.Mr Cameron added that the incident was also a reminder of the risks military personnel took in training as well as active operations.
A family member of a serving member of the RAF at Lossiemouth told the BBC of concerns among the families of personnel about the risk of crashes.A family member of a serving member of the RAF at Lossiemouth told the BBC of concerns among the families of personnel about the risk of crashes.
The person, who asked not to be named, said cutbacks, staff shortages and long working hours had put pressure on air and ground crews.The person, who asked not to be named, said cutbacks, staff shortages and long working hours had put pressure on air and ground crews.
They said: "The reason that these crashes are happening is because everybody is undermanned, the engineers are overworked.They said: "The reason that these crashes are happening is because everybody is undermanned, the engineers are overworked.
"The planes are too old. They can no longer fix them properly.""The planes are too old. They can no longer fix them properly."
The family member added: "There's so much uncertainty. The guys are flying around with that in their heads and that is causing a massive amount of stress."The family member added: "There's so much uncertainty. The guys are flying around with that in their heads and that is causing a massive amount of stress."
The Ministry of Defence said it was not known at this stage what had caused the crash.The Ministry of Defence said it was not known at this stage what had caused the crash.
A spokesman said: "A full investigation into this incident will carried out by the Military Aviation Authority, which will be an independent investigation looking at all the possibilities of what might have happened.A spokesman said: "A full investigation into this incident will carried out by the Military Aviation Authority, which will be an independent investigation looking at all the possibilities of what might have happened.
"Nobody can say if mechanical failure, human error, or weather conditions could have caused the incident when the investigation hasn't even begun.""Nobody can say if mechanical failure, human error, or weather conditions could have caused the incident when the investigation hasn't even begun."
Wreckage collectedWreckage collected
Aberdeen Coastguard was alerted to the incident at about 13:50 on Tuesday, after reports that the jets came down about 25 miles south of Wick.Aberdeen Coastguard was alerted to the incident at about 13:50 on Tuesday, after reports that the jets came down about 25 miles south of Wick.
The RNLI said 15 volunteers manned the Wick, Invergordon and Buckie lifeboats, which were used to search for the missing personnel.The RNLI said 15 volunteers manned the Wick, Invergordon and Buckie lifeboats, which were used to search for the missing personnel.
The boats headed for the Beatrice oil field area, supported by a helicopter from Stornoway in the Western Isles.The boats headed for the Beatrice oil field area, supported by a helicopter from Stornoway in the Western Isles.
Lossiemouth station commander Gp Capt Ian Gale said: "The circumstances remain uncertain, but clearly this is a very serious incident.Lossiemouth station commander Gp Capt Ian Gale said: "The circumstances remain uncertain, but clearly this is a very serious incident.
"The thoughts from everyone here are with the families and friends of those involved.""The thoughts from everyone here are with the families and friends of those involved."
First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This is clearly a very serious incident and my thoughts are with the loved ones of those affected.First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This is clearly a very serious incident and my thoughts are with the loved ones of those affected.
"I understand rescue services have done all they can to help with the situation and offer my thanks to all those involved."I understand rescue services have done all they can to help with the situation and offer my thanks to all those involved.
There have been previous accidents involving RAF Tornado aircraft.There have been previous accidents involving RAF Tornado aircraft.
In January 2011, an engine fire caused a Tornado GR4 based at RAF Lossiemouth to crash into the sea off north west Scotland - the crew in that incident managed to eject to safety.In January 2011, an engine fire caused a Tornado GR4 based at RAF Lossiemouth to crash into the sea off north west Scotland - the crew in that incident managed to eject to safety.
The following month, a Tornado crew was forced to eject after experiencing problems landing at the same base - there were not thought to have been serious injuries.The following month, a Tornado crew was forced to eject after experiencing problems landing at the same base - there were not thought to have been serious injuries.
The supersonic Tornado GR4 attack aircraft has seen decades of RAF service, being used in various military operations that include in Iraq, Kosovo, Afghanistan and most recently Libya.The supersonic Tornado GR4 attack aircraft has seen decades of RAF service, being used in various military operations that include in Iraq, Kosovo, Afghanistan and most recently Libya.