Greek Air Show Turns Tragic as Fighter Jet Crash

News Desk

Athens: A routine aerial display turned deadly in Greece on Saturday when a Greek Air Force Phantom F-4 fighter jet crashed during a low-altitude maneuver, killing both pilots and sending thick clouds of black smoke over the air show site.

The accident occurred at Tanagra Air Force Base, around 60 kilometres north of Athens, where thousands of spectators had gathered for Athens Flying Week, an annual aviation event.

The twin-seat fighter went down while performing a maneuver at low altitude. The crash triggered a fire near the base, prompting an emergency response involving 85 firefighters along with 11 water-dropping aircraft and helicopters.

Greek Air Force officials later confirmed that rescue teams located the bodies of both pilots. The firefighting operation was initially complicated by the blaze at the crash site, although the flames remained away from the main spectator area.

No spectators were reported injured in the incident.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed condolences to the families of the pilots, highlighting the risks faced by Greek military aviators.

“The sense of grief is widespread,” Mitsotakis said, adding that the deaths underscored the dangers faced by pilots who remain on constant duty to safeguard Greece’s airspace.

Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the aircraft’s performance and the low-altitude maneuver being carried out at the time of the accident.