More than 1,500 people joined today in the search for the co-pilot of the Su-30MK2 that went missing during a training session off the coast of the northern central province of Nghe An on June 14.

According to the Vietnam National Search & Rescue Committee, more people and equipment have been mobilised for the search since June 16 morning including five aircraft, 102 vessels, nine special vehicles, 16 diving equipment, 30 vehicles and many other devices along with 1,564 rescuers.

Dinh Viet Hong, Vice Chairman of Nghe An People’s Committee and head of the search and rescue board, said sustained efforts have been made to find the missing co-pilot - Senior Lieutenant Colonel Tran Quang Khai, deputy head and chief of staff of Regiment 923.

"The searching area has also been expanding to the northern province of Thai Binh," Hong said.

A source from the Ministry of Defence said that all training exercises with Su-30MK2 aircraft have been temporarily stopped to investigate the accident.

Earlier, pilot Major Nguyen Huu Cuong was rescued at 5 am of June 15.