United states officials have said that at least 16 persons were killed after a military plane crashed in the state of Mississippi on Monday  evening .

A local Sheriff said the US Marine Corps aircraft came down in a rural area north of Jackson, leaving a field of shattered debris about 8 kilometers in radius and  killing about 16 marines that were on board.

Frank Randle, the Leflore County Emergency Management Agency director told reporters that the 16 bodies had been recovered after the aircraft which was used as a refuelling tanker plunged to the ground.

The United States Marine confirmed the incident in a statement it released on its official Twitter handle.

“A USMC K-130 mishap occurred the evening of July 10. Further information will be released as available,” the tweet read.

Also in another statement, the Mississippi Governor, Phil Bryant consoled friends and families of the deceased marines, adding that such tragic  incidents were the risks men and women in uniform are faced with all in a bid to secure and protect the freedom of Americans.