Jamnagar: A MIG-21 fighter plane crashed in a residential area killing three persons, including two children, and injuring nine others in Lakhabawal village of Gujarat, about 20 kms from Jamnagar today (Feb 20, 2004).

The pilot escaped unhurt but an 18-year-old boy was killed on the spot while two other children including a girl succumbed to injuries in Medical College Hospital, Jamnagar District Collector T Natrajan said.

The mishap took place at 9.42 a.m. and the fighter jet broke into five pieces after crashing on the roof of a house causing a fire that engulfed seven surrounding houses, Natrajan said adding that the blaze has been put out completely.

Most of the injuries were due to the debris falling on them, the collector said adding that all the nine injured had been rescued.

This is the second crash of a MIG fighter-jet this month. A MIG-23 had crashed in Jaisalmer district in Rajasthan on February seven.