A cargo plane operated by a Ukrainian airline reportedly carrying 12 tons of “hazardous materials” has crashed in northern Greece.
Residents reported seeing a fireball and hearing explosions for two hours after the Antonov plane crashed into farmland near the town of Kavala.
The Soviet-era An-12 plane had flown from Serbia to Jordan, according to Greek Civil Aviation authorities.
Greek media reported that eight people had boarded the plane and were carrying 12 tons of “hazardous materials,” mostly explosives.
State broadcaster ERT reported that army and explosives experts were heading to the site.
Officials, however, said they did not have specific information about the cargo and provided a variable number of people on board.
Image: remains scattered around the scene of the accident
Greek Civil Aviation Authority said the pilot managed to alert authorities to a problem in one of the plane’s engines.
He added that he was given the option of landing at Thessaloniki or Kavala airports and opted for Kavala, which was closer, saying he had to make an emergency landing.
However, communication with the plane ceased almost immediately afterwards and the plane crashed about 40 km west of the airport.
“We were hearing explosions until a few minutes ago,” said Filippos Anastassiadis, mayor of Paggaio municipality, just over an hour after the plane crashed.
“I’m about 300 yards from the crash site.”
One of Mr Anastassiadis’ deputies told ERT that explosions were heard for two hours after the accident.