TAIPEI, June 4 (Xinhua) -- An F-16 jet crashed while participating in a military drill in Taiwan on Monday, according to reports from local media.

The single-seat fighter took off from Hualien Air Base but disappeared from radar at 1:43 p.m. in northern Taiwan, according to the island's United Daily News.

Wreckage of the plane has been found in mountainous areas in the east of New Taipei City, but the pilot remains missing, said the report.

Rescuers are expanding the search.