The minaret suffered little damage and the F-4 -- part of an aerobatics team practicing for ceremonies to mark the 81st anniversary of the republic on Friday -- returned safely to base, the statement said.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who lives near the mosque in the Kecioren district, was passing by when the accident took place, the Anatolia news agency reported.

Intrigued by the crowd gathered at the scene, Erdogan went to the mosque to see what happened, the agency said.

The jet reportedly destroyed only the metal decoration that traditionally tops minarets from where the faithful are called to prayer five times a day.

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