CNN
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A cargo aircraft crashed in northern Greece on Saturday, killing all eight folks on board and elevating considerations in regards to the Serbian navy gear it was carrying.
The aircraft was transporting gear together with illuminating mortar shells and coaching shells to Bangladesh when it crashed close to Eleftheroupoli within the northeastern Kavala area, the Serbian Minister of Protection Nebojša Stefanović mentioned, in line with Reuters. He added that each one eight crew members had been killed.
In keeping with Greek public broadcaster ERT, the plane was carrying “harmful cargo.” Smoke and intense warmth, in addition to a white substance discovered close to the crash web site, raised considerations over doable toxicity, Marios Apostolidis, a serious common within the Greek fireplace brigade, mentioned.
Officers urged folks dwelling close to the crash web site to not method the wreckage and to maintain home windows closed. Locals described a scene of devastation. “The aircraft was already burning whereas it crashed. There was an enormous explosion, like a mushroom, like a nuclear bomb,” one unnamed male resident advised ERT.
“My abdomen clenched, after I noticed that mushroom,” one other resident mentioned.
The Antonov 12, which was operated by Ukrainian cargo airline Meridian, crashed shortly earlier than 11 p.m. native time (4 p.m ET) Saturday, ERT reported.
It was touring from Serbia to Bangladesh by way of Jordan when it crashed, Ukrainian Ministry of Overseas Affairs spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko mentioned on Fb Sunday. The reason for the accident is believed to be engine failure.
All eight crew members have been Ukrainian residents, Nikolenko added. He mentioned an operational headquarters was arrange by the Ukrainian consulate in Thessaloniki, the place Ukrainian consular officers have been working on the crash web site with native rescue and regulation enforcement groups.
Following the crash, 15 firefighters with seven automobiles instantly went to the scene whereas extra firefighting forces adopted together with particular items with two “particular” automobiles for the gathering of hazardous materials, the ministry mentioned, including that the world of the crash was instantly cordoned off and a safety perimeter was established.
There are presently 30 firefighters and “particular forces” on the scene in addition to police and different rescue groups, the Greek international ministry mentioned in a press release.
Specialists are additionally working to find out what the white substance is and what the scene’s toxicity is earlier than continuing with restoration operations. Authorities have but to recuperate the aircraft’s flight recorder.
The Greek international ministry mentioned it was “profoundly saddened” to listen to there have been no survivors following the crash.
“Profoundly saddened by the information of the cargo aircraft crash in northern Greece, close to Kavala,” the international ministry tweeted. “We specific our honest condolences to the households of the 8 Ukrainian crew members who tragically misplaced their lives within the aircraft crash.”
Land mine clearance items of the Greek Army have been on the scene and a “particular” chemical protection crew was on its method. The electrical energy was minimize off in some elements within the space after the crash however the energy has now been restored for essentially the most half, the ministry added.
