25 July 2023 , 12:32
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A plane sent to douse the flames searing through the Greek islands has plummeted to the ground during its mission, killing two.
Footage managed to capture the moment the aircraft came down near Platanistos and Karystos, two villages in Evia. An emergency response helicopter is en route to the crash site to assess the situation.
The terrifying clip appears to show a small aircraft crashing into a tree as it swoops towards the ground. Just before it erupts in a fiery ball on the hillside, the pilot appears to attempt to pull the plane up to safety. According to initial reports, two people were on board at the time. The aircraft is said to belong to the Greek Air Force's 355th Tactical Transport Squadron.
It has since been confirmed by the Greek Minister of National Defense that two people have died. In a statement, Nikos Dendias said: "The loss of the lives of Air Force Officers and firefighting aircraft operators, in the line of duty and while attempting to protect the lives and property of citizens, as well as the environment of our country, is deeply saddening.
Our thoughts are with their families and colleagues, to whom we extend our most sincere condolences ."
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It comes as a third successive heat wave grips Greece, pushing temperatures over 40C (104F) across parts of the country today. Last night evacuations were carried out to take people to safety after the fires that have raged out of control for days.
The latest evacuation orders were issued on the islands of Corfu and Evia, while a blaze on the island of Rhodes continued to move inland, torching mountainous forest areas, including part of a nature reserve.
The plane goes up in flames as it plummets to the ground (EPT News)Desperate residents, many with wet towels around their necks to stave off the scorching heat, used shovels to beat back flames approaching their homes, while firefighting planes and helicopters resumed water drops at first light.
Authorities said that more than 20,000 people have been involved in successive evacuations on the island, mostly British tourists over the weekend, when fire swept through two coastal areas on the southeast of Rhodes.
The European Union has sent 500 firefighters, 100 vehicles and seven planes from 10 member states, while Turkey, Israel, Egypt and other countries have also sent help.
"For the 12th day, under extreme conditions of heat and strong winds, we are fighting nonstop on dozens of forest fire fronts ... The Greek Fire Service has battled more than 500 fires - more than 50 a day," said Vassilis Kikilias, the minister for climate crisis and civil protection.
In Athens, authorities resumed afternoon closing hours at the ancient Acropolis, as part of broader measures to cope with the high heat.
EU officials have blamed climate change for the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires across the European continent, noting that 2022 was the second-worst year for wildfire damage on record after 2017.