Two pilots were killed when a Greek air force jet crashed at an annual air show north of Athens on Saturday, officials said. Thousands of people were in attendance at Athens Flying Week, which attracts military and civilian aviation teams from dozens of countries, where the twin-seat Phantom F-4 jet crashed during a low-altitude manoeuvre. A fire after the crash sent up large plumes of black smoke.
There were no injuries among the spectators or residents in the wider area. Eleven water-dropping planes and helicopters assisted 85 firefighters to contain the blaze, which remained at some distance from the viewing area at the event. Organisers cancelled remaining events planned over the weekend, while the fire prompted an evacuation order in an area near the base.
It hadn't been airborne for more than three minutes," an eyewitness told ERT. Video footage of the crash showed a plume of smoke rising from the point of impact, followed by a larger, second explosion that occurred nearby as the plane broke apart. Cyprus' Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said that he had called his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, to express the condolences of his government.
The air force declared three days of mourning following the crash.
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