Greece plane crash: Aircraft carrying military munitions comes down near Kavala, killing eight people
Greek authorities have found seven bodies and recovered three of them, Greek broadcaster ERT reported on Sunday, citing the commander of the special mine clearance division of the Army Corps. Soldiers of this country.
Serbian Defense Minister Nebojša Stefanović said the plane was transporting equipment including mortars and training shells to Bangladesh when it crashed near Eleftheroupoli in the northeastern region of Kavala, Serbia’s Defense Minister said. Nebojša Stefanović said, according to Reuters.
Members of a mine clearance unit have now entered the crash site and are investigating and identifying the types of bombs the plane was carrying, ERT reported, adding that the identification process will be followed by collecting and destroying or disabling items on the spot if necessary.
Marios Apostolidis, a major general in the Greek fire service, said the smoke and intense heat, as well as a white substance found near where the plane crashed, initially raised concerns about possible toxicity. can happen.
An unnamed male resident told ERT: “The plane caught fire during the crash. There was a big explosion, like a mushroom, like a nuclear bomb.”
“My stomach twisted when I saw that mushroom,” another resident said.
However, so far, no dangerous substances have been found at the crash site, said Greek Fire Agency spokesman Ioannis Artopoios.
From Serbia to Bangladesh
The Antonov 12, operated by Ukrainian airline Meridian, crashed shortly before 11 p.m. local time (4 p.m. ET) Saturday, ERT reported.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said on Facebook Sunday that it was traveling from Serbia to Bangladesh via Jordan when it crashed. The cause of the accident is believed to be engine failure.
Nikolenko added that all eight crew members were Ukrainian citizens. He said an operational headquarters has been set up by the Ukrainian consulate in Thessaloniki, where Ukrainian consular officers are working at the crash site with local law enforcement and rescue teams.
After the accident, 15 firefighters with 7 vehicles immediately arrived on the scene while additional firefighters followed including special units with 2 “special” vehicles to collect hazardous materials, The ministry added that the area where the accident occurred was immediately cordoned off. and a security perimeter has been set up.
There are currently 30 firefighters and “special forces” at the scene as well as police and other rescue teams, the Greek foreign ministry said in a statement.
Experts are also working to determine what the white substance is. Authorities have yet to recover the plane’s flight recorder.
Greece’s foreign ministry said it was “deeply saddened” to learn that there were no survivors of the crash.
“Extremely saddened by the news of the crash of a cargo plane in northern Greece, near Kavala,” the foreign ministry wrote on Twitter. “We offer our sincere condolences to the families of the eight Ukrainian crew members who lost their lives in the plane crash.”
Hellenic Army mine clearance units are on the scene and a “special” chemical defense team is on their way. The ministry added that some areas in the area had been cut off after the accident, but power has now been largely restored.
Talia Kayali reports from Atlanta. Chris Liakos reports from London. Teele Rebane reports from Estonia.
