F-35 fighter jet crashes near an elite base in California

U.S. authorities announced on Friday that an F-35 fighter jet had crashed near a military base in the city of San Diego, in southern California.

A spokesperson for the base told Agence France-Presse that the incident involved an F-35B aircraft belonging to the United States Marine Corps near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

He added, “The pilot ejected by parachute, was rescued, and is currently being transported to a medical facility.”

The spokesperson did not specify whether the pilot had been injured or whether the crash had caused any additional casualties, but confirmed that the U.S. military would release further details in the near future.

The cause of the accident has not yet been determined.

Images circulating on social media showed a thick column of smoke rising from the burning aircraft, while emergency crews attempted to extinguish the fire using water hoses.

Miramar is internationally known for hosting the elite training school for U.S. Marine Corps pilots.

From a military standpoint, the city of San Diego is also home to a major naval base from which U.S. Navy ships and submarines operate or are stationed, making it a key logistical and military hub on the west coast of the United States.