Germany is collaborating with Lithuania and Spain to probe a plane crash near Vilnius airport, stated German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. She emphasized that a series of hybrid attacks targeting individuals and infrastructure has placed Europe on high alert.
“The necessity for us, alongside our Lithuanian and Spanish partners, to seriously contemplate whether this incident was accidental or, following last week’s events, yet another hybrid occurrence reflects the volatile times we are currently experiencing, even in the heart of Europe,” Ms. Baerbock remarked in Fiuggi, Italy, during her meeting with G7 counterparts.
“The German authorities are closely coordinating with Lithuanian officials to uncover the details surrounding this event,” she went on to say.
A DHL cargo plane crashed while attempting to land at Vilnius airport this morning, resulting in the death of one person on board, and some debris affecting a nearby residence.
The flight was operated by Swiftair on behalf of DHL and had originated from Leipzig, Germany.
According to a spokesperson for Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Centre, the Boeing 737-400 went down around 3:30 am Irish time as it approached Vilnius airport.
Flightradar24 indicated that the flight departed Leipzig at 2:08 am.
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Security camera footage captured an aircraft descending behind a warehouse, followed by a bright red and orange display in the night sky and thick dark smoke billowing afterward.
Rescue services reported that the plane struck the ground, fragmented, and skidded over 100 meters. Debris also impacted a home.
“In the recorded exchange between the pilots and the control tower, the pilots did not report any extraordinary events until the very last moment,” said Marius Baranauskas, head of the Lithuanian National Aviation Authority.
“We need to investigate the black boxes to ascertain what was occurring within the aircraft,” he added.
In response to the crash, Lithuanian police and prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation. Additionally, a specialized unit from the Justice Ministry will conduct a civil aviation inquiry, as stated by the government. “Only these investigations will provide clarity regarding the actual causes of the event; speculation and conjecture will not assist in uncovering the truth,” stated Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte.
A spokesperson for the Lithuanian police reported that one individual onboard, a Spanish national, lost their life, while three others—citizens of Spain, Germany, and Lithuania—sustained injuries.
During a press conference, police noted that 12 individuals had been evacuated from the residence affected by the debris. Fortunately, there were no casualties on the ground.
Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames on the damaged building located about 1.3 kilometers north of the airport runway, and nearby streets were sealed off.
DHL has initiated its own investigation into the crash, as communicated by a spokesperson for the company’s Lithuanian division.
“The aircraft was carrying regular parcels. We do not have any information suggesting that any of them were suspicious,” she shared.
A spokesperson for the European Union Aviation Safety Agency conveyed that it was premature to make any comments regarding the crash’s causes.
Burning debris is visible following the crash in Vilnius.
The 737-400 involved in the incident was 31 years old, according to the Flightradar24 database.
Boeing is working to gather further information and is ready to offer support, as stated by a Boeing spokesperson.
Swiftair has opted not to provide any comments.
Germany is already looking into multiple fires set by incendiary devices concealed in packages at a warehouse in Leipzig earlier this year.
British police are investigating a warehouse fire in Birmingham from July, which was sparked by a package igniting, and are coordinating with other European law enforcement agencies to determine any potential connections to similar incidents.
