A DHL cargo plane has crashed near Vilnius Airport in Lithuania during its final approach and subsequently collided with a house, killing the pilot and injuring three crew members aboard, officials have reported. The crash occurred in the early hours of Monday morning (November 25), causing significant damage to the area and prompting a large-scale emergency response.
The flight, operated by Swiftair on behalf of DHL, had departed Leipzig Airport in Germany at 02:08 GMT. It crashed at approximately 03:30 GMT as it attempted to land at Vilnius Airport. According to a spokesperson from Lithuania's national crisis management centre, the aircraft slid more than 100 metres upon impact before colliding with the house.
Residents Miraculously Survive
Despite the severity of the crash, all 12 occupants of the house were safely evacuated, officials confirmed. “It is remarkable that no one inside the house was injured,” a spokesperson said, adding that investigations revealed no indication of an explosion before the crash. “At the moment, we don't have any data that there was an explosion,” he stated.
Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-400, commonly used for cargo transport. It was approaching Vilnius Airport under what appeared to be standard operating conditions when the crash occurred. Authorities have yet to disclose further details about the flight's status or possible mechanical issues leading up to the incident.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Emergency services, including police, firefighters and ambulances, were dispatched to the crash site, located 0.8 miles (1.3 km) north of the airport's runway. By 05:30 GMT, firefighters were working to extinguish flames in the smoking building. Nearby roads were cordoned off as authorities secured the area.
The head of the national crisis management centre confirmed an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.
Related Incident in Leipzig
The crash comes months after German authorities launched an investigation into fires at a Leipzig warehouse linked to incendiary devices hidden in parcels. While there is no direct connection to the recent crash, the incident has raised questions regarding safety protocols involving cargo operations.
Lithuanian authorities are now working closely with aviation experts to establish what led to this tragic accident. More information is expected as the investigation progresses.
