Turkey investigates shooting down of fighter jet by Syria The shooting down of a Turkish fighter jet by Syrian defence forces has further increased tensions between the two countries, with one newspaper headline in Ankara describing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as "playing with fire." On Friday, when the incident occurred, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned an investigation and a possible apology from Damascus. However, one day later Turkish President Abdullah Gul admitted the jet may have violated Syrian airspace - though such minor incursions are normal and routine, he said. Both the Syrian and Turkish navies are searching for the two pilots, still believed to be alive. The aircraft was brought down in the Mediterranean Sea 13 kilometres away from the Syrian town of Latakia. Since the violence in Syria began, 32,000 people have fled to neighbouring Turkey. More about: Ankara, Attack, Bashar al-Assad, Inquiry, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Syrian army