This morning, a DHL cargo aircraft tragically crashed while attempting to land at Vilnius Airport in Lithuania. The incident resulted in the death of one individual aboard the plane, and some debris from the crash caused damage to a nearby residence.
While three other passengers on the flight sustained injuries, thankfully, no one on the ground was hurt during the ordeal. As flames and thick smoke spiraled from the wreckage, firefighting crews rushed in to tackle the blaze.
The ill-fated flight, managed by Swiftair for DHL, had taken off from Leipzig, Germany. Unfortunately, the exact cause of the crash remains unclear. Officials noted that, at this point, they have found no indications of sabotage. This is particularly relevant, given that German authorities are currently investigating several incidents earlier in the year involving parcels containing incendiary devices at a DHL warehouse.
According to a spokesperson from Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Centre, the Boeing 737-400 went down around 3:30 AM Irish time as it was approaching the runway. The flight had departed Leipzig just a little over an hour earlier at 2:08 AM, as per Flightradar24 data.
Footage from security cameras showed the aircraft descending behind a warehouse, after which the sky was illuminated in alarming shades of red and orange, followed by plumes of dense, dark smoke.
Rescue services reported that the plane struck the ground, disintegrating into multiple pieces and sliding over 100 meters. Remarkably, some of the debris struck a nearby home. “In the audio recording of the exchange between the pilots and air traffic control, the pilots did not report any unusual circumstances to the tower until the very last moment,” stated Marius Baranauskas, the head of the Lithuanian National Aviation Authority. “We must analyze the black boxes to determine what transpired inside the aircraft,” he added, highlighting the need for thorough investigation.
In the subsequent aftermath, Lithuanian police and prosecutors have initiated a criminal probe, while a specialized unit from the Justice Ministry is set to carry out a separate inquiry focused on civil aviation matters. Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte emphasized, “Only these formal investigations will uncover the genuine causes of this unfortunate event; mere speculation will not aid in uncovering the truth.”
A spokesperson for Lithuanian police confirmed that the deceased was a Spanish citizen, while three others—hailing from Spain, Germany, and Lithuania—sustained injuries. Police later announced at a press conference that twelve residents had to be evacuated from the home struck by the debris, with no casualties reported among them.
The chaotic scene continued as firefighters diligently doused the smoldering structure, located approximately 1.3 kilometers north of the airport runway. The surrounding roads were cordoned off to ensure public safety.
DHL has begun its own inquiry into the incident. A representative from their Lithuanian division stated, “The aircraft was carrying standard parcels. We have no information suggesting any of the packages were problematic.” Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency noted that it’s premature to comment on potential causes of the crash.
The plane involved in this mishap was 31 years old, according to data from Flightradar24. Boeing has expressed commitment to gather more information and provide assistance, while their spokesperson reiterated their cooperation in every necessary aspect. On the other hand, Swiftair has refrained from making any public commentary regarding the situation.
German security officials have also joined the investigation and are maintaining close communication with both domestic and international agencies. This is broader context given that earlier this year, Germany was already scrutinizing several separate incidents where parcels containing incendiary items ignited in a Leipzig warehouse.
Additionally, British authorities are probing a fire that occurred in Birmingham in July, ignited by a package. They are coordinating with other European law enforcement bodies to explore any potential connections to similar incidents across various locations.
As the investigation progresses, the air of uncertainty looms large over what led to this harrowing incident. With agencies working diligently to uncover the truth, one can only hope for a clear resolution that elucidates the sequence of events leading to this tragic aircraft disaster.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
