PLATANISTOS, Greece – A Greek firefighting airplane crashed and burst into flames in Platanistos on the island of Evia on Tuesday while it was trying to extinguish a wildfire on the hillside, according to the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT).
ERT reports that the CL-215 airplane took off from Nea Aghialos Volos shortly before noon local time and was working to help extinguish the Karystos fire when it crashed.
Two pilots from the 355th Tactical Transport Squadron of the 112th Fighter Wing were on board the airplane when it crashed.
“A search and rescue operation is underway for the two airmen,” the Hellenic Air Force said in a statement. “One Super Puma helicopter and one AB-205 Air Force Helicopter have rushed to the area.”
The video appears to show the right wing of the airplane clipping some trees. Something is then seen falling from the aircraft before it briefly climbs in altitude and then banks to the right and dives into the hillside.
HOW THE LAY OF THE LAND AFFECTS WILDFIRE BEHAVIOR
Hundreds of firefighters across Greece have been working tirelessly to extinguish wildfires that have scorched the ancient landscape and forced thousands of residents and tourists to evacuate.
More than 60 wildfires ignited across Greece on Sunday, with the most series fire burning on the Greek island of Rhodes.
Vacation companies TUI and Jet2 have canceled flights to the region through at least the end of the week, although those airplanes are being flown to Rhodes to evacuate tourists trying to get back to the United Kingdom.
Help has been flowing into Greece from across Europe, with countries sending firefighters, airplanes and other personnel to the affected regions to assist firefighting efforts.
Temperatures have soared above 100 degrees across many areas of Europe over the past several days.
Athens had a forecast high temperature of 102 on Tuesday, 107 on Wednesday and dropping into the upper 90s by Thursday.
Information received from European news outlets and the military was translated via Google Translate