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Greece fires: Two pilots die after firefighting plane crashes

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2023 7:14 pm
by newspotted
ImageREUTERS Image caption: Rescuers at the site of the plane crash after a water drop in Platanistos on the island of Evia, Greece.

By Emily McGarvey
BBC News
Two Greek air force pilots have died after a plane crashed while fighting wildfires on the Greek island of Evia, officials say.

The water-bombing plane crashed while battling a forest fire near Platanistos, the defence ministry said.

The pilots were named as 34-year-old Cdr Christos Moulas and his co-pilot, 27-year-old Pericles Stefanidis.

An intense European heatwave has also sparked wildfires across Sicily, Algeria and Tunisia.

Greek TV showed the Canadair aircraft flying low to drop water on a fire before turning sharply into a hillside and bursting into flames.

State broadcaster ERT said the plane crashed over the town of Karystos on the island, where a fire was burning.

The plane was among at least three other aircraft and about 100 firefighters tackling fires on Evia.

Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said the pilots lost their lives "in the line of duty... while attempting to protect the lives and property of citizens, as well as the environment of our country".

A three-day mourning period has been declared in the Greek armed forces, the defence ministry said.

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