Two pilots killed in crash of Greek fighter jet during air show near Athens

Events at the Athens Air Show in Greece turned into a tragedy after a Greek F-4 Phantom fighter jet crashed during an air display at Tanagra Air Base, north of the capital Athens, killing both of its pilots.

Reuters reported on Saturday that Greek officials confirmed the aircraft fell about two kilometers from the airport, with no injuries reported among passersby or residents in the surrounding area.

Footage broadcast by Greece’s public broadcaster ERT showed the fighter jet making a low-altitude right turn before crashing seconds later and bursting into flames.

Eleven aircraft and firefighting helicopters were deployed to control the blaze that erupted after the crash and spread into adjacent forested areas.

The station quoted an eyewitness as saying attendees were shocked by the incident, noting that the plane had been in the air for no more than three minutes before it fell.

Following the crash, base officials asked attendees to leave the area via loudspeakers.

The fighter jet had been participating in the Athens Air Show, an annual air display featuring military and civilian aircraft and teams from several countries.