As part of firefighting operations near Karystos, Evia, a Canadair CL-215 operated by the Hellenic Air Force crashed while battling a wildfire.
On July 25, 2023, just before 3 o’clock in the afternoon local time, the incident took place close to Platanistos. Video of the incident shows the plane doing a drop, striking a tree with its right outboard float, stalling, and crashing into a slope.
Πτώση Canadair #Καρυστος pic.twitter.com/Ohdgv8lcFa
— Guru (@Bilots_Bet) July 25, 2023
The aircraft, according to the Hellenic Air Force, was flown by two crew and belonged to the 355th Tactical Transport Squadron of the 112th Fighter Wing. At this time, it is unclear how the crew members are doing. A search and rescue effort is in progress.
Greece is coping with significant forest fires, especially on the islands of Rhodes and Evia, as a result of one of the country’s longest heat waves in recent memory. As part of the European mutual aid effort, hundreds of firefighters were sent from France, Italy, Romania, Slovakia, and Poland.
