Eight people died in the crash. According to media reports, there was ammunition on board – eyewitnesses report numerous explosions.
Kavala – A plane crashed near the northeastern Greek city of Kavala on Saturday evening. This was confirmed by the Greek fire brigade via Twitter. The machine is said to be an Antonov cargo plane that was on its way from Nis in Serbia to the Jordanian capital Amman, according to the Flightradar24 internet service on Twitter. The cargo plane had eight people on board, the Greek state broadcaster ERT reported, citing Serbian authorities.
The flight tracker also documented the plane’s route. This shows that the Antonov turned around over the northern Aegean and flew towards Kavala. The crew is said to have requested an emergency landing at the airport there, ERT reported.
Live footage from ERT showed a large fire at the crash site. The fire brigade was initially on site with seven fire engines. Greek media also distributed cellphone recordings from private individuals showing that the plane was on fire before the crash. Eyewitnesses told journalists that the plane passed very close to the villages of Paleochori and Antifilippi, but then crashed into an uninhabited area.
Munition an Bord
Ammunition is said to have been on board the plane, a firefighter told ERT at the scene of the accident. Journalists at the scene were asked to wear masks because of the danger of toxic fumes. Bystanders were asked by the security forces to leave the area. Eyewitnesses had previously reported numerous explosions immediately after the plane crashed. According to the firefighter, special forces were therefore requested.
The Greek fire brigade has asked residents near the site of the crash of the Antonov cargo plane to keep their windows closed. Journalists and spectators were also asked to leave the area. The transmitter ERT showed images of the burning crash site. The firefighters had withdrawn, special forces in protective suits moved in.
Two firefighters were taken to the hospital with respiratory problems, one of the helpers told journalists.
Previously, the cargo plane apparently had problems with an engine. The pilot is said to have spoken of an engine failure and requested an emergency landing at Kavala airport, the Greek news agency ANA reported, citing circles from the civil aviation authority. However, the crew would not have made it there. dpa
