Both pilots killed as Greek fighter jet crashes during air show near Athens

A Greek Air Force fighter jet crashed during a low-altitude manoeuvre at an air show near Athens, killing both pilots and sending thick black smoke over the event. Thousands of people attended the Athens Flying Week display, but no spectators were injured.

The twin-seat F-4 Phantom broke apart after the crash, with videos showing flames erupting and a larger second explosion nearby. The pilots’ bodies were recovered during a rescue operation initially hindered by the fire at Tanagra Air Force Base, about 60 kilometres north of Athens.

Eleven water-dropping planes and helicopters joined 85 firefighters in containing the blaze. The fire remained some distance from the viewing area, officials said.

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The sense of grief is widespread, and our thoughts are with the families of the two pilots we lost. It is a reminder of the daily danger faced by Greece’s aviators, who remain on constant standby to protect Greece’s skies.

Organisers cancelled the remaining events planned for the weekend. The Hellenic Air Force declared three days of mourning. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis paid tribute to the pilots, saying, “The sense of grief is widespread, and our thoughts are with the families of the two pilots we lost. It is a reminder of the daily danger faced by Greece’s aviators, who remain on constant standby to protect Greece’s skies.”

Cyprus Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas also offered condolences to Greece’s Defence Minister Nikos Dendias. “It is with deep sadness that I learned of the death of the two officers of the Hellenic Air Force, who lost their lives in the tragic accident that occurred during the air show at Tanagra Air Base,” Palmas wrote in an online post.

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It is with deep sadness that I learned of the death of the two officers of the Hellenic Air Force, who lost their lives in the tragic accident that occurred during the air show at Tanagra Air Base.