The fate of the two pilots, Trần Quang Khải and Nguyễn Hữu Cường, remain unknown.
Major General Đỗ Minh Tuấn, Deputy Commander of Vietnam Air Defense – Air Force, said the Russian-made fighter jet Su-30MK2 was believed to have lost contact with air controllers while out on maneouvres at 7:47am around Đảo Mắt Island, some 40km away from Vinh City.
The Su-30 fighter jet departed from Thọ Xuân Military Airport in the central province of Thanh Hoá.
Three vessels and 35 soldiers have been mobilised for the search and rescue operation. Some 20 fishing boats have also joined the search.
