Navy jet crash: Evacuations, search for injured underway in Va.

A search for victims is underway in Virginia Beach, Va., where a Navy jet slammed into a residential area. At least five people reportedly have been taken to a hospital with injuries, including one of two crew members who safely ejected from the aircraft.

Dozens of personnel were responding to the crash scene, including 55 emergency workers and 65 police officers, according to Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms. Those forces were being bolstered by state police officers as well as other emergency workers and law enforcement officials from nearby areas.

Still unclear is how many were injured. So far, no fatalities have been reported. But that can quickly change as the story unfolds. Sessoms said in a TV interview that fire authorities were bringing in foam to help tamp down toxic smoke from the crash. Once that takes place, making it safer for emergency workers to proceed, then the search for victims inside the apartment buildings would begin.

PHOTOS: Navy jet crashes into apartments in Virginia Beach

“The pilots are safe, they are OK,� Sessoms said in a TV interview. “Now we have to wait and see what happens when we get into the buildings.�

The F/A-18 Hornet aircraft crashed about 12:30 p.m. EDT. Black smoke was visible over the Birdneck Road area of Virginia Beach.

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Navy jet crashes into apartments near Virginia; injuries unclear