San diego: An F-35 fighter jet crashed today near a military base in San Diego, southern California. A spokesperson for the base reported that an F-35 Bravo belonging to the Marine Corps crashed near Miramar Air Station. The pilot ejected safely and was rescued and transported to a hospital.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the spokesperson stated that the military will release further details about the incident later. Images circulating on social media showed a column of smoke rising from the burning aircraft, while emergency crews attempted to extinguish the flames using water hoses.

Miramar Air Station is renowned as the training base for the elite U.S. Marine Corps pilots.