London - Four people - two air force personnel and two teenagers on a training flight - died Wednesday in a mid-air collision in south Wales, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
According to the ministry, the two light aircraft planes were Grob Tutors, twin-seater propeller aircraft, from a nearby military base at St Athan.
Of the four, two were members of the RAF while the other two were Air Training Corps cadets. Next of kin had been informed although their names would not be released immediately.
The teenagers were taking part in so-called air experience flights which typically last half an hour and are designed to tutor cadets in the principles of flight, a ministry spokesperson said.
"Four members of the RAF family have tragically lost their lives following an accident which took place near Porthcawl just before lunchtime today (Wednesday)," said Group Captain Andy Naismith of the Royal Air Force (RAF).
"Those who died were two members of the RAF and two Air Training Corps cadets."
Naismith said an investigation had been launched involving the Air Accident Investigation Board, South Wales Police and the MoD. - AFP