Ukrainian Cargo Plane Crashes Over Greece Residents Heard Explosions For Hours

A cargo plane operated by a Ukrainian airline has crashed in northern Greece, officials said. Greece’s civil aviation authorities said residents of Kavala heard loud explosions and saw a fireball in the sky after an Antonov cargo plane headed from Serbia to Jordan crashed on Saturday. Greek aviation authorities shortly before the crash contacted the pilot, who reported a problem with one of the plane’s engines and requested an emergency landing. Flames are seen at the crash site of the plane, a few miles from the northern Greek city of Kavala, Saturday, July 16, 2022. (Ilias Kotsireas/InTime News via AP) The authorities instructed the pilot to land either at Thessaloniki airport or in Kavala. Cargo ship carrying 4,000 cars sinks in Atlantic Ocean Officials said the pilot chose Kavala, as it was closer, but then lost contact. The plane eventually crashed about 25 miles west of the airport. Firefighters are seen near the site of a plane crash, a few miles from the northern Greek city of Kavala, Saturday, July 16, 2022. (Ilias Kotsireas/InTime News via AP) Media reports differed on the number of people on board the plane, which was carrying mostly explosives, but at least eight people were believed to be on board at the time of the crash. EUROPEAN NATIONS COORDINATE TO PROSECUTE RUSSIAN WAR CRIMES IN UKRAINE “We were hearing explosions until a few minutes ago,” Pangaio Mayor Philippos Anastasiadis told The Associated Press. “I’m about 300 meters from the crash site.” Local authorities have warned residents to stay indoors and close their windows after a strong and unusual smell was detected following the crash. The alert came as authorities did not immediately know whether the plane was carrying chemicals or batteries. Fire engines are seen near the site of the plane crash, a few miles away from the northern Greek city of Kavala, Saturday, July 16, 2022. (Ilias Kotsireas/InTime News via AP) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Explosions were heard from the crash site for two hours after the crash. The Associated Press contributed to this report.