One pilot in missing jet rescued in central Vietnam

HANOI - One pilot in a SU-30 fighter jet which went missing Tuesday morning has been rescued by a local fishing boat, an official from National Committee for Rescue and Search told Xinhua on Wednesday.

The Russian-made SU-30 fighter jet of Vietnam air forces disappeared from radar screen while carrying out a training mission offshore Vietnam's central Nghe An province on Tuesday morning.

There were two pilots aboard the aircraft,namely Tran Quang Khai and Nguyen Huu Cuong who are said to be experienced and high-hour pilots. The jet took off Tuesday morning from Sao Vang airport in Vietnam's central Thanh Hoa province, some 140 km south of capital Hanoi, for training.

The rescued pilot is confirmed as Nguyen Huu Cuong and he is in good health condition, the official told Xinhua via phone. "Rescue ships and airplanes are on the way to reach the fishing boat," the official said.

On Wednesday, the search and rescue mission continues in waters off coast of Nghe An province, some 260 km south of capital Hanoi.

"In addition to 25 ships working on Tuesday, Nghe An province is deploying more 50 ships while a total of five helicopters are implementing the search and rescue on Wednesday," said the official.