Sofia (Bulgaria), Sep 13 (AP) A Bulgarian military jet crashed on Friday during a drill for an airshow marking the anniversary of the country joining NATO, authorities said. Both pilots aboard the aircraft were killed.

The L-39 Albatros training jet went down shortly after noon near Graf Ignatievo Air Base in southwestern Bulgaria, around 150 kilometers from the capital of Sofia, the Ministry of Defence said.

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The crash ignited a fire on the ground. Officials say efforts are underway to contain the blaze and an investigation has started into the cause of the crash.

A statement from the press department of Prime Minister Glavchev said he was on his way to the base.

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Bularia is marking the 20th anniversary of its NATO membership on Saturday, and also 35 years since the MiG-29 was inducted into the Bulgarian Air Force, according to state news agency BTA.

Following the crash, Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov cancelled the airshow. A statement from him was expected later on Friday.

Video from the state broadcaster BNT shows a large plume of black smoke rising above an airfield with fire trucks rushing toward the crash site. (AP)

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