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A Greek fighter jet that crashed on Monday at a Nato base in Spain had suffered a technical fault during takeoff, the BBC reported, citing the French military.

"What we know is that the crew of the F-16, quite quickly after takeoff, tried to eject, which confirms the technical failure," French Air Force chief of staff Gen Denis Mercier said.

Gen Mercier did not specify the nature of the failure of the F-16.

Nine French military personnel and the two Greek pilots died in the crash.

At least five other planes were damaged as the F-16 crashed at Los Llanos air base in Albacete on Monday.

Twenty-one people were injured - 12 Italians and nine French. The bodies of the nine Frenchmen were to be flown home on Thursday. The bodies of the Greek pilots were repatriated earlier.

The Los Llanos air base, which is located some 260km (160 miles) south-east of Madrid, is also said to host personnel from the US, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and the UK.