One pilot killed when planes collide in midair in Portugal

A midair collision between two small planes at a Sunday air show in Portugal killed one pilot and injured the other, according to local media.

Quoting Portuguese news agency Lusa, Anadolu said incident occurred at Air Base No. 11 in Beja, southern Portugal, which was hosting the air show to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the Portuguese Air Force (PAF).

The PAF later confirmed the report in a statement, saying: "The air force regrets to announce that at 4:05 p.m. (1505 GMT), at the Beja Air Show, two planes were involved in an accident during an aerial demonstration."

Portuguese media reports citing PAF sources said the two aircraft were of the Yakovlev Yak-52 (Soviet design) model. The deceased pilot was a Spanish citizen.

Portugal's Defense Minister Nuno Melo expressed grief over the death.