Training plane crashes off Lebanon, search ongoing for two people

Lebanese Red Cross and Civil Defense members gather during a rescue operation after a small training plane crashed into the Mediterranean Sea off the Lebanese coast, in Halat, north of Beirut, Lebanon October 13, 2021. REUTERS/Issam Abdallah

A small plane crashed into the Mediterranean on Wednesday off the Lebanese coast and rescue workers were searching for the two people on board, a statement by the cabinet said.

The small training aircraft belongs to the Lebanese aviation club and the civil defence team is conducting search and rescue operations, Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said on Twitter.

A fishing boat is pictured as search and rescue operations are underway after a small training plane crashed into the Mediterranean Sea off the Lebanese coast, in Halat, north of Beirut, Lebanon October 13, 2021. REUTERS/Issam Abdallah

(Reporting by Laila Bassam; Writing by Maha El Dahan; Editing by Alison Williams)

Lebanese Red Cross and Civil Defense members gather during a rescue operation after a small training plane crashed into the Mediterranean Sea off the Lebanese coast, in Halat, north of Beirut, Lebanon October 13, 2021. REUTERS/Issam Abdallah

Civil Defense members look on during a rescue operation after a small plane crashed into the Mediterranean Sea off the Lebanese coast, in Halat, north of Beirut, Lebanon October 13, 2021. REUTERS/Issam Abdallah

Search and rescue operations are underway after a small training plane crashed into the Mediterranean Sea off the Lebanese coast, in Halat, north of Beirut, Lebanon October 13, 2021. REUTERS/Issam Abdallah