CNN
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A cargo airplane crashed in northern Greece on Saturday, killing all eight folks on board and elevating considerations concerning the Serbian navy tools it was carrying.
The airplane had been transporting tools 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 Defense Nebojša Stefanović stated, in accordance with Reuters.
Members of a mine clearing division have now entered the crash website and are investigating and figuring out the munitions the airplane was carrying, public broadcaster ERT reported, including that the identification course of will probably be adopted by assortment and demolition or on-site neutralization of the gadgets as wanted.
Smoke and intense warmth, in addition to a white substance discovered close to the crash website, initially raised considerations over attainable toxicity, Marios Apostolidis, a significant common within the Greek hearth brigade, stated.
“The plane was already burning while it crashed. There was a big explosion, like a mushroom, like a nuclear bomb,” one unnamed male resident informed ERT.
“My stomach clenched, when I saw that mushroom,” one other resident stated.
However, no harmful substances have been discovered to date on the crash website, in accordance with Greek Fire Service spokesman Ioannis Artopoios.
Greek authorities have recovered all eight our bodies of the individuals who have been on board, ERT reported Sunday.
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 through Jordan when it crashed, Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko stated on Facebook Sunday. The reason for the accident is believed to be engine failure.
All eight crew members have been Ukrainian residents, Nikolenko added. He stated an operational headquarters was arrange by the Ukrainian consulate in Thessaloniki, the place Ukrainian consular officers have been working on the crash website 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 models with two “special” automobiles for the gathering of hazardous materials, the ministry stated, including that the world of the crash was instantly cordoned off and a safety perimeter was established.
There are presently 30 firefighters and “special forces” on the scene in addition to police and different rescue groups, the Greek international ministry stated in an announcement.
Experts are additionally working to find out what the white substance is. Authorities have but to get well the airplane’s flight recorder.
The Greek international ministry stated it was “profoundly saddened” to listen to there have been no survivors following the crash.
“Profoundly saddened by the news of the cargo plane crash in northern Greece, near Kavala,” the international ministry tweeted. “We express our sincere condolences to the families of the 8 Ukrainian crew members who tragically lost their lives in the plane crash.”
Land mine clearance models of the Greek Army have been on the scene and a “special” chemical protection group was on its method. The electrical energy was reduce off in some components within the space after the crash however the energy has now been restored for essentially the most half, the ministry added.