Two Belarusian pilots were killed when their Su-27 crashed at the International Air Show in Radom, central Poland, Sunday.

The aircraft came down at 13.17 CET. The two bodies of the airmen have been recovered.

President Lech Kaczyński sent his condolences to the families of the two Belarusians. "On behalf of the Polish nation, you have our deepest sorrow and sympathy,” he said.

Unofficial information suggests that after the plane got into difficulties one of the pilots contacted the control tower and said he wanted to eject from the aircraft. The Sukhoi Su-12 fighter jet’s close proximity to the audience at the show, however, made the procedure impossible. It's possible that the pilots gave their lives to save others below.

The names of the two pilots have not been released to the media, but one of them is known to be a deputy-commander in the Belarusian air force with 20 years flying experience. (pg)