The pilot and co-pilot of a Canadair CL-215 that crashed while fighting a fire in Platanisto, southern Evia, are dead, a statement by the Hellenic Air Force General Staff said on Tuesday.
Flight Lt. Christos Moulas, 34, and Second Lt. Periklis Stefanidis, 27, were on board the water-dousing aircraft which belonged to the 355 Tactical Transport Squadron, part of the 112 Combat Wing at Elefsina Air Base.
The airplane crashed at 14:52, according to the press release.
Greece’s Armed Forces have declared a three-day mourning period (July 25-27) for the loss of lives of two Air Force officers while executing their duty, by order of National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias.
Dendias exressed his condolences to the families and colleagues.