A Dutch F-16 fighter pilot has died after his plane crashed in southern Afghanistan, officials say.

They said that the plane was flying at a "great height" when the accident occurred, which meant that it was unlikely that it was shot down.

"We therefore assume it was an accident," the Dutch defence ministry said in a statement.

The 29-year-old pilot is the third Dutchman to die in Afghanistan, after a July helicopter crash killed two men.

The ministry said the plane came down in the province of Ghazni, where it was supporting Nato peacekeeping troops on their way to southern Afghanistan.

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