INDEPENDENT
Two people have been confirmed dead after a plane fighting the wildfires in Greece crashed.
The defence ministry stated that two Greek air force pilots, identified as a 34-year-old commander and his 37-year-old co-pilot, were killed when their Canadair CL-215 plane crashed.
The accident occurred about 30 minutes from the town of Karystos on the island of Evia near Athens, where a fire has been burning for several days.
Local media reported the plane’s wing clipped a tree, with footage showing the small plane plummeting to the ground and exploding after dropping its cargo over the blaze.
The accident was aired in a state television broadcast that showed the low-flying aircraft disappearing into a canyon before a fireball appeared moments later.
Two helicopters had rushed to the scene to carry out a search and rescue operation, while several ambulances had also attended.
The owners of Lithos Villas told The Independent that the crash occurred in Platanistos, a small village in the mountains with less than 100 houses. Of the fires, they added that hotels in Karystos remained unaffected aside from smoke in the air, and that tourists were enjoying their holidays as usual.
The Metro reported the accident occurred nearly 15 years to the day when two Greek pilots lost their lives fihgting wildfires on July 23, 2007.
The Canadair CL-415 crashed into the hillside while tackling flames near the town of Styra. Speaking to Metro, the owners of Villa Kasteli, which hosted Boris Johnson last August, said it was “ironic and sad” for locals…
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