April 20, 1999
Web posted at: 5:11 a.m. EDT (0911 GMT)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (CNN) -- Two U.S. F-18s dropped bombs that exploded near an observation tower at a remote training ground in Puerto Rico Monday, killing one civilian and injuring four others.

Roosevelt Roads Naval Station spokesman Roberto Nelson said the Marine jets were on a training mission over Vieques, an island off the coast of Puerto Rico, when they missed the target.

The bombs hit near the tower where four contracters and one military observer were working around 7:30pm.

Nelson says the cause of the accident remains under investigation.

The injured were taken to the Roosevelt Roads Navy base hospital. Nelson says he believes their injuries are not life threatening. The names of the victims will not be released until all family members are notified.

The two pilots were training for their September deployment when the accident occurred.