ATHENS, Greece — A Greek air force jet crashed at an air show north of Athens on Saturday, killing the two pilots, officials said, as thousands of people were in attendance at the event.
Air force officials in Greece said the bodies of the two pilots were located during a rescue operation, hampered in the early stages by the fire on the grounds of Tanagra air force base, 60 kilometers north of Athens. Eleven water-dropping planes and helicopters assisted 85 firefighters to contain the blaze, which remained at some distance from the viewing area at Athens Flying Week, an annual air show.
“The sense of grief is widespread, and our thoughts are with the families of the two pilots we lost,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said. The crash of the twin-seat Phantom F4 jet occurred during a low-altitude maneuver. A fire after the crash sent up large plumes of black smoke. There were no injuries among the spectators. “It is a reminder of the daily danger faced by Greece’s aviators, who remain on constant standby to protect Greece’s skies. Organizers canceled remaining events planned over the weekend, while the fire prompted an evacuation order in an area near the base. Video footage of the crash showed a plume of smoke rising from the point of the impact followed by a larger, second explosion that occurred nearby as the plane broke apart. The air force declared three days of mourning following the crash. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Cyprus Defense Minister Expresses Condolences Over Hellenic Air Force Tragedy
Cyprus’ Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas has reached out to his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, to convey condolences following a tragic incident at the Tanagra Air Base. The accident resulted in the deaths of two officers from the Hellenic Air Force during an air show. In an online statement, Palmas expressed his sorrow, stating, “It is with deep sadness that I learned of the death of the two officers who lost their lives in this tragic accident.”
