F-16 Fighter Jet Goes Missing During Taiwan Drill

Taiwan's air force said on Monday that an F-16 fighter jet had gone missing during military drills simulating an invasion by the mainland.

Media reports said the jet had taken off from Hualien and contact was lost almost half an hour later while it was over the north of the island.

The military launched a search for the jet and the one airman on board, while a helicopter and firefighters were also dispatched to check a mountainous area of Keelung.

The island on Monday began its biggest military drills of the year.

Several cities in northern Taiwan also took part in an air raid drill, with people following evacuation procedures that would be put in place should the mainland attack the island.

Taiwan's Central News Agency said pedestrians and motorists were obliged to follow police orders to clear roads and seek shelter. People already indoors were ordered to shut windows and doors and turn off their electricity and gas supplies.

Trains continued to run during the 30-minute drill, the agency said, although passengers were not allowed to leave stations during that period.