An F-4 Phantom military plane crashed at a base near Athens during an air show, Greek news agency ANA reported. The circumstances of the accident are still to be clarified and the fate of the two pilots on board is not known.
The crash in front of the public
The plane had just taken off when it suddenly lost altitude and crashed, a journalist from the public broadcaster ERT at the scene reported. Immediately after the impact, an explosion occurred in front of thousands of visitors attending the annual Athens Flying Week.
The relief efforts and the minister’s reaction
A fire brigade helicopter was sent to the scene to put out the fire caused by the crash, Ert said. Defense Minister Nikos Dendias canceled a trip to the Thessaloniki International Fair to visit the crash site.