- Several US warplanes has crashed in Kuwait amid ongoing Iranian strikes in the Gulf
- Kuwait's defence ministry confirmed all crew members survived the incident
- So far, the Iranian strikes have killed five people across the Gulf, including one in Kuwait
Several US warplanes crashed in Kuwait on Monday morning, March 2, but all their crews survived, Kuwait’s defence ministry said, as Iranian strikes in the Gulf entered a third day.
“Several US warplanes crashed this morning. Confirming that all crew members survived,” a defence ministry spokesman said in a statement, adding that the cause was under investigation.
“Authorities immediately initiated search and rescue operations, evacuating the crews and transporting them to a hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. He noted that their condition is stable,” the spokesman said.
Black smoke was seen rising near the US Embassy in Kuwait City on Monday, March 2, according to an AFP correspondent, even as the crashes occurred without reported casualties, and as Iran continued its offensive in the Gulf.
The US military later clarified that three F-15 fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defences during active combat operations that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, missiles and drones.
All six crew members ejected safely and were recovered in stable condition, US Central Command said.
A US embassy security alert also warned people to steer clear of the embassy area, saying: “There is a continuing threat of missile and UAV (drone) attacks over Kuwait. Do not come to the embassy,” and that “US embassy personnel are sheltering in place.”
The Iranian attacks have so far killed several people across the Gulf according to local authorities, including at least one person in Kuwait, as the regional conflict escalates.