Two confirmed dead in fireball plane crash while fighting wildfires in Greece

25 July 2023 , 15:54

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Plane fighting blaze in Evia crashes (Image: EPT News)

Two people have died in a plane crash which saw an aircraft crash and burst into flames while fighting Greek wildfires on the island of Evia.

Footage managed to capture the moment the aircraft came down near Platanistos and Karystos, two villages in Evia. An emergency response helicopter is en route to the crash site to assess the situation.

The Greek government said in a statement: "The loss of the lives of Air Force Officers and firefighting aircraft operators, in the line of duty and while attempting to protect the lives and property of citizens, as well as the environment of our country, is deeply saddening.

"Our thoughts are with their families and colleagues, to whom we extend our most sincere condolences."

The terrifying clip appears to show a small aircraft crashing into a tree as it swoops towards the ground. Just before it erupts in a fiery ball on the hillside, the pilot appears to attempt to pull the plane up to safety.

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Smoke rises from the crash site

According to initial reports, two people were on board at the time. The aircraft is said to belong to the Greek Air Force's 355th Tactical Transport Squadron.

It comes as a third successive heat wave grips Greece, pushing temperatures over 40C (104F) across parts of the country today.

Last night evacuations were carried out to take people to safety after the fires that have raged out of control for days.

The latest evacuations orders were issued on the islands of Corfu and Evia, while a blaze on the island of Rhodes continued to move inland, torching mountainous forest areas, including part of a nature reserve.

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Abigail O'Leary