Fighter jet crashes and explodes in entrance of horrified spectators throughout air present
An F-4 Phantom fighter jet with two people on board has reportedly crashed and exploded at a popular European air show, prompting a massive emergency response
The plane reportedly exploded on impact(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
At least two individuals are unaccounted for following a terrifying crash involving a high-tech fighter jet at an air show.
The F-4 Phantom fighter jet is believed to have had two people on board when it appeared to emit smoke and then crash during an aerial display at Athens Flying Week earlier today (Saturday). No confirmation has been given regarding the two who were inside the aircraft, although no parachutes have apparently been found in the aftermath.
No cause has been given for the crash, nor has there been any sort of statement from the Greek Air Force or Greek Defence Ministry.
No official update has been given on the two people on board(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Local reports indicate that the jet began emitting smoke while in the air, before crashing just beyond the eastern end of the base’s runway. A major explosion was reported on the plane’s impact with the ground.
Eyewitnesses reportedly saw the jet break into two pieces, with both halves of the plane appearing to be on fire after the blast.
Firefighting helicopters have been deployed in order to drop water on the inferno, while emergency response teams are believed to have reached the wreckage.
Smoke was seen emerging from the crash site
Athens Flying Week has been suspended, and all spectators have been evacuated from the site.
People at the airshow were left shocked, and organisers immediately began evacuating the area. The remainder of Athens Flying Week was suspended.
Greek public broadcaster ERT reported that the aircraft had been carrying a full load of fuel, and stated that said the fate of the two on board, believed to be a squadron leader and a flight lieutenant, remained unknown.
The plane involved was an F4 Phantom fighter jet(Image: Getty Images)
Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias reportedly cut short his programme at the Thessaloniki International Fair and returned urgently to Athens.
Athens Flying Week was scheduled to take place at Tanagra air base on September 5 and 6, featuring Greek and international military aircraft.
The crash comes just a day after another terrifying incident which saw a light plane crash into the side of a mountain in Colorado, killing two people on board.
The victims have been named as pilot Randy Ramirez, 34, of Jupiter, Florida, and Belen, New Mexico, and camera-mapping operator Blake Klobuchar, 20, of Peralta, New Mexico.
The San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office said:”The Sheriff’s Office can confirm that a Cessna 206 single-engine aircraft with two male occupants crashed on the north side of Dolores Peak. Search teams completed a thorough assessment of the wreckage and determined there were no survivors.”
