A Greek Air Force F-4 Phantom fighter jet crashed Saturday during an air show near Tanagra, north of Athens, leaving its two pilots unconscious and triggering a wildfire.
The crash occurred shortly before 3 p.m., just minutes after the start of the aircraft’s demonstration as part of Athens Flying Week. The jet went down in fields near the Prophet Elias area and then skidded toward an industrial facility, where it caused a large fire that spread into woodland near Dilesi, a coastal town south of Tanagra.
The two pilots were located unconscious, according to information reported by Kathimerini. Their condition was not immediately known.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the site as firefighters battled the blaze, which witnesses said was approaching residential areas.
Greece’s 112 emergency alert system was activated because of the fire, urging people in the area to remain vigilant and follow authorities’ instructions. The fire’s situation had improved, according to the Fire Department, but flames had approached homes in the Dilesi area.
