Tanagra: Phantom crashes during airshow demonstration

A Greek Air Force Phantom crashed in fields during a demonstration at Athens Flying Week in Tanagra on Saturday, then continued toward a nearby factory, where a fire broke out and spread into woodland.

The crash occurred only minutes after the airshow demonstration began. Firefighters sent 85 personnel, two foot teams from the 1st EMODE unit, a team from the 1st EMAK emergency response unit and 23 vehicles to tackle the blaze. Seven aircraft and four helicopters, including one used for coordination, were also mobilized for aerial firefighting.

The area had been placed at very high risk of fire, category four, on the day of the accident. Local reports said the fire extended toward the Dilesi area, on the upper road toward Schimatari, and approached homes.

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The whole house shook and there was a brief power outage. Helicopters are now flying over the site, and there is thick black smoke.

Tanagra resident Dimitra Mavraggelou told Kathimerini that the Phantom flew over her house during the demonstration. “The whole house shook and there was a brief power outage. Helicopters are now flying over the site, and there is thick black smoke.” Zoe Roumbeka said the aircraft fell near Prophet Elias and, carried by its momentum, reached toward Tanagra.

Defense Minister Nikos Dendias cut short his program at the Thessaloniki International Fair and returned to Athens. The report was continuing to update.

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The aircraft fell near Prophet Elias and, carried by its momentum, reached toward Tanagra. A large fire broke out after the crash in Dilesi, on the upper road toward Schimatari. The fire is approaching homes.