Tragedy strikes as Greek firefighting plane crash with two pilots on board

In a devastating incident on July 25, a Greek firefighting plane crashed while battling forest fires on the southern Greek island of Evia. The water bomber, a Greek Canadair plane, was carrying at least two pilots when it went down near the village of Platanisto, as reported by Yannis Artopios, the fire department spokesman.

The situation in Greece has been dire for over ten days, with relentless fires and scorching temperatures posing significant challenges to firefighting efforts. The ill-fated aircraft was part of a coordinated response involving three other planes and approximately 100 firefighters who were battling the raging flames on the island, located in close proximity to Athens.

Authorities for the past few days have been struggling to contain the fires, which triggered mass evacuation in certain cities and resorts.

Authorities have revealed that the tragic accident occurred in the heights of Karystos, an area where a fire had been raging since July 23. The Canadair plane veered off course and plunged into a ravine, resulting in the loss of both pilots' lives.

According to information released by the Ministry of Defence and relayed by state broadcaster ERT, the two pilots were members of the esteemed Greek Air Force. The names of the pilots have not been disclosed at the time of this report, as officials are likely to be in contact with the families before making a public announcement.

The harrowing incident was captured on video and subsequently broadcasted by ERT. The footage shows the water bomber descending rapidly before being engulfed in flames and a cloud of black smoke, obscuring it from view.

The sacrifices made by firefighters and pilots who risk their lives to protect communities and tackle raging infernos are deeply appreciated by the nation. Greece continues to unite in solidarity, offering support and appreciation to the courageous firefighters who are battling to bring the wildfires under control. 

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