Greek air force jet crashes at an annual aerial show, killing 2 pilots - NBC News
Source: NBC News
A Greek air force Phantom F4 jet crashed during a low-altitude maneuver at the Athens Flying Week air show on Saturday, killing both pilots aboard. The incident took place at Tanagra air force base, approximately 60 kilometers north of Athens, where thousands of spectators had gathered for the annual event. Despite the severity of the crash, no injuries were reported among the crowd watching from the viewing area.
The crash triggered an intense fire that sent large plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky. Eleven water-dropping aircraft and helicopters were deployed alongside 85 firefighters to combat the blaze. The fire hampered initial rescue efforts, but the bodies of both pilots were eventually located during the recovery operation. Authorities also issued an evacuation order for a residential area near the base as a precautionary measure.
Video footage circulating after the crash captured a plume of smoke rising from the point of impact, followed by a secondary explosion as the aircraft broke apart. The combination of the initial crash and subsequent blast illustrated the violent nature of the incident, adding to the shock felt by those present at the air show and those watching coverage of the event remotely.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed deep condolences, describing the sense of grief as widespread. He paid tribute to the nation's aviators, emphasizing the constant danger they face while safeguarding Greek airspace. Cyprus' Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas also reached out to his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, conveying his government's condolences following what he called a tragic accident during the Tanagra air show.
In response to the tragedy, the Greek air force declared three days of official mourning. Organizers of Athens Flying Week canceled all remaining events scheduled for the weekend out of respect for the fallen pilots and their families. The incident has reignited public discussion about the risks inherent in military aviation and the continued reliance on aging aircraft such as the F4 Phantom in the Hellenic Air Force fleet.
Traduction japonaise
ギリシャ空軍のファントムF4ジェット機が土曜日、アテネ航空週間の航空ショーで低空飛行機動中に墜落し、乗っていたパイロット2名が死亡した。事故はアテネ北方約60キロのタナグラ空軍基地で発生し、数千人の観客が詰めかけていた。観客に負傷者はいなかった。
墜落後に発生した火災は大きな黒煙の柱を上げた。消防飛行機やヘリコプター11機と消防士85名が出動し、消火活動にあたった。火災は当初の捜索救助活動を妨げたが、最終的に両パイロットの遺体が発見された。当局は基地周辺の住宅地域に避難命令を発令した。
墜落後に拡散した映像には、衝突地点から立ち上る煙と、機体が空中分解する際に起きた二次爆発の様子が記録されていた。この衝撃的な映像は、現場にいた観客だけでなく、報道を通じてこの事故を目にした人々にも大きな衝撃を与えた。
キリアコス・ミツォタキス首相は深い哀悼の意を示し、ギリシャの空を守るために常時待機しているパイロットたちの日々の危険性を強調した。キプロスのパラマス国防相もギリシャのデンディアス国防相に電話し、政府としての哀悼の意を伝えた。
ギリシャ空軍は3日間の喪に服することを宣言し、アテネ航空週間の主催者も週末に予定していた残りのイベントをすべて中止した。この事故は軍用航空の固有のリスクや、ヘレニック空軍でのF4ファントムなど老朽化した機体の継続使用について、改めて議論を呼んでいる。
Vocabulaire clé
- low-altitude maneuvernoun
A controlled movement or exercise performed by an aircraft at a height close to the ground, often considered high-risk.
和訳: 低高度飛行機動
The pilot executed a dangerous low-altitude maneuver during the training exercise, impressing observers but raising safety concerns.
- plumenoun
A long, spreading column of smoke, gas, or liquid rising into the air.
和訳: 煙柱、立ち上る煙
A thick plume of smoke rose from the factory after the explosion, visible for miles around.
- hamperedverb
To hinder or obstruct the progress or movement of something or someone.
和訳: 妨げられた、阻まれた
The relief effort was hampered by severe flooding, which made road access to the affected villages nearly impossible.
- contain the blazephrase
To successfully prevent a fire from spreading further beyond its current boundaries.
和訳: 火災を封じ込める
Firefighters worked through the night to contain the blaze before it reached the nearby residential neighborhood.
