¡¡ BRUSSELS, Sept. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- A Belgian F-16 fighter jet crashed Friday near the Dutch island of Vlieland, Belgian newspaper De Standaard reported.

    The accident took place just before midday and the pilot was believed to have perished in the crash. Three helicopters and four rescue boats were dispatched to search for the pilot.

    The warplane took off from the Florennes air force base in Belgium on Friday morning with three other F-16s for a military exercise.

    Belgian Defense Minister Andre Flahaut has offered his sympathies to the pilot's family.

    A pilot was also killed after two Belgian F-16 air force jets crashed during a military exercise in Belgium in December 2003. The other pilot managed to eject and escaped unhurt. Enditem