Phantom crash in Tanagra: Political leaders mourn the two pilots

Defence Minister Nikos Dendias declared three days of mourning in Greece’s Armed Forces after an F-4 Phantom crashed in Tanagra, killing its two pilots. The mourning period will run through Monday, Sept. 7.

Dendias had been in Thessaloniki when the aviation accident occurred. He cancelled his programme and travelled to the crash site with Chief of the National Defence General Staff Gen. Dimitrios Houpis and Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff Lt. Gen. Dimosthenis Grigoriadis.

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The loss of the two F-4 Phantom pilots in Tanagra fills us with deep sorrow.

The crash also prompted political changes elsewhere. New Democracy cancelled scheduled events at the Thessaloniki International Fair because of the accident. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was expected to begin his customary speech to representatives of productive sectors by referring to the crash. President Konstantinos Tasoulas returned to Athens and cancelled a planned appearance at an event in Methoni.

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It is self-evident that the causes of the tragedy must be investigated immediately, fully and thoroughly.

PASOK defence spokesman Michalis Katrinis said the loss of the two F-4 Phantom pilots had caused “deep sorrow” and offered condolences to their families and the wider Air Force community. He said the causes “must be investigated immediately, fully and thoroughly” so that clear answers could emerge about the circumstances of the accident.

The defence sector of ELAS also mourned the pilots and highlighted the daily risks faced by Armed Forces personnel. Its statement said the Greek Air Force was mourning “two more of its aviators” and argued that the crash showed the risks involved in their duties. It added that premature assessments and announcements would only worsen the atmosphere surrounding the loss, while expressing condolences to the pilots’ families and support for Armed Forces personnel.

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The Greek Air Force mourns the loss of two more of its aviators.