Eva Deschamps / July 17, 2022
A drone was to approach Sunday the wreckage of the mysterious Antonov cargo plane that crashed Saturday night near the town of Paleochori Kavalas in northern Greece, rescue workers could not approach for fear of a dangerous load. According to the public television channel ERT, it was operated by a Ukrainian airline. Experts from the army and the Greek Atomic Energy Commission should use the drone to approach the wreckage for fear of the toxicity of its unknown cargo.
On Saturday night, people living within a 2 kilometer radius of the crash site were asked to stay home and wear masks. Early Sunday, two firefighters were taken to hospital with breathing difficulties due to toxic fumes.
The Antonov An-12 cargo plane crashed on Saturday evening near the town of Paleochori Kavalas. Witnesses saw the plane on fire and heard explosions, reported the Athens News Agency. At 10:45 p.m. I was surprised by the sound of an aircraft engine. I went out and saw a plane on fire, Giorgos Archontopoulos told public television ERT.
According to local authorities, seven fire engines were deployed to the crash site, but were unable to approach the aircraft, which continued to be shaken by explosions. According to press reports, the plane was flying from Serbia to Jordan, and had just requested emergency landing permission at the Greek airport of Kavala, but failed to make it in time.
State television ERT said it was a Ukrainian Antonov, and that it was in flames before it crashed, according to local residents who witnessed the scene. No official information has been released on the number of people on board the plane, which was still burning several hours after the crash.
According to ERT, the cargo ship was carrying eight people and was dangerous. Police asked journalists near the crash to put on masks. You have to move away for your safety. There is information that the plane was carrying ammunition, a firefighter told reporters at the scene.