Greek Air Force cancels remaining events and observes three days of mourning

(Rome = Yonhap News) Correspondent Min Gyeong-rak = A fighter jet participating in a Greek air show crashed during flight, killing two pilots, the Associated Press and Euro News reported on the 6th (local time).

According to Greek authorities, an F-4 Phantom fighter jet crashed to the ground during the 'Athens Flying Week 2026' air show held in the northern area of ​​Athens, Greece the previous day.

It is reported that the fighter jet suddenly fell to the ground while flying at low altitude and exploded. There were thousands of visitors at the event at the time, but no one was injured. Greek authorities recovered the bodies of two pilots from the scene.

Immediately after the accident, the Greek Air Force canceled all events scheduled for the weekend and declared a three-day mourning period. Athens Flying Week, held every year, is the largest air show in Southeastern Europe and consists of formation flights, parachute jumps, etc.

The explosion of the crashed fighter jet caused a fire in a nearby forest area, and about 115 firefighters and 9 aircraft were deployed to extinguish the fire.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, "This accident shows the kind of danger pilots who are always on emergency standby to protect Greek airspace are in," adding, "Sadness is spreading throughout the country."