CNN
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A cargo airplane crashed in northern Greece on Saturday, killing all eight individuals on board and elevating considerations in regards to the Serbian navy tools it was carrying.
The airplane had been transporting tools together with illuminating mortar shells and coaching shells to Bangladesh when it crashed close to Eleftheroupoli within the northeastern Kavala area, the Serbian Minister of Protection Nebojša Stefanović mentioned, based on Reuters.
Members of a mine clearing division have now entered the crash website and are investigating and figuring out the munitions the airplane was carrying, public broadcaster ERT reported, including that the identification course of shall be adopted by assortment and demolition or on-site neutralization of the objects as wanted.
Smoke and intense warmth, in addition to a white substance discovered close to the crash website, initially raised considerations over potential toxicity, Marios Apostolidis, a serious basic within the Greek hearth brigade, mentioned.
“The airplane was already burning whereas it crashed. There was a giant explosion, like a mushroom, like a nuclear bomb,” one unnamed male resident advised ERT.
“My abdomen clenched, after I noticed that mushroom,” one other resident mentioned.
Nevertheless, no harmful substances have been discovered up to now on the crash website, based on Greek Hearth Service spokesman Ioannis Artopoios.
Greek authorities have recovered all eight our bodies of the individuals who had been on board, ERT reported Sunday.
The Antonov 12, which was operated by Ukrainian cargo airline Meridian, crashed shortly earlier than 11 p.m. native time (4 p.m ET) Saturday, ERT reported.
It was touring from Serbia to Bangladesh through Jordan when it crashed, Ukrainian Ministry of Overseas Affairs spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko mentioned on Fb Sunday. The reason for the accident is believed to be engine failure.
All eight crew members had been Ukrainian residents, Nikolenko added. He mentioned an operational headquarters was arrange by the Ukrainian consulate in Thessaloniki, the place Ukrainian consular officers had been working on the crash website with native rescue and legislation enforcement groups.
Following the crash, 15 firefighters with seven autos instantly went to the scene whereas further firefighting forces adopted together with particular items with two “particular” autos for the gathering of hazardous materials, the ministry mentioned, including that the realm of the crash was instantly cordoned off and a safety perimeter was established.
There are at the moment 30 firefighters and “particular forces” on the scene in addition to police and different rescue groups, the Greek international ministry mentioned in a press release.
Consultants are additionally working to find out what the white substance is. Authorities have but to get better the airplane’s flight recorder.
The Greek international ministry mentioned it was “profoundly saddened” to listen to there have been no survivors following the crash.
“Profoundly saddened by the information of the cargo airplane crash in northern Greece, close to Kavala,” the international ministry tweeted. “We categorical our honest condolences to the households of the 8 Ukrainian crew members who tragically misplaced their lives within the airplane crash.”
Land mine clearance items of the Greek Military had been on the scene and a “particular” chemical protection group was on its method. The electrical energy was lower off in some components within the space after the crash however the energy has now been restored for probably the most half, the ministry added.