Cargo Plane Crash Near Vilnius: One Dead, Three InjuredThe plane, which had departed from Leipzig, Germany, was approaching the airport when it went down, skidding across the ground for several hundred meters before colliding with a residential house and erupting into flames.
This photograph taken on November 25, 2024 shows the wreckage of a cargo plane in the courtyard of a house following its crash near the Vilnius International Airport in Vilnius Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty ImagesThe crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. local time, near Zirniu Street, a few kilometers from the runway. Despite the destruction, all 12 residents of the affected home were safely evacuated. The crew consisted of four members, three of whom survived, including the pilot. Two were hospitalized with injuries, while the fourth was tragically found dead at the scene.Rescue and Investigation Efforts
Renatas Pozela, head of Lithuania’s Fire and Rescue Department, reported extensive damage but credited swift evacuation efforts for preventing further casualties. Firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish the flames, while emergency services and Vilnius Airport's fire crews coordinated rescue operations.Footage from a nearby security camera captured the plane’s final moments: a steep descent followed by a fiery explosion. Witnesses described a massive fireball and billowing black smoke.Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash. Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of the National Crisis Management Center, stated it was “too early to draw conclusions.” Preliminary theories include technical malfunction or human error, though terrorism has not been ruled out. Evidence collection may take up to a week, officials noted.Avoided Disaster on the Ground
Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas expressed relief that the plane narrowly missed a direct hit on the house, crashing instead into its courtyard. "The outcome could have been far more devastating," he remarked.While the crash disrupted operations at Vilnius Airport, flights have continued with minor delays. DHL confirmed the plane's status as a Swift Air aircraft under contract and emphasized its commitment to cooperating with investigators.As Lithuania mourns the loss of one life and grapples with the implications of this crash, authorities remain focused on uncovering the factors behind the tragic event.
This photograph taken on November 25, 2024 shows the wreckage of a cargo plane in the courtyard of a house following its crash near the Vilnius International Airport in Vilnius Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty ImagesThe crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. local time, near Zirniu Street, a few kilometers from the runway. Despite the destruction, all 12 residents of the affected home were safely evacuated. The crew consisted of four members, three of whom survived, including the pilot. Two were hospitalized with injuries, while the fourth was tragically found dead at the scene.Rescue and Investigation EffortsRenatas Pozela, head of Lithuania’s Fire and Rescue Department, reported extensive damage but credited swift evacuation efforts for preventing further casualties. Firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish the flames, while emergency services and Vilnius Airport's fire crews coordinated rescue operations.Footage from a nearby security camera captured the plane’s final moments: a steep descent followed by a fiery explosion. Witnesses described a massive fireball and billowing black smoke.Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash. Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of the National Crisis Management Center, stated it was “too early to draw conclusions.” Preliminary theories include technical malfunction or human error, though terrorism has not been ruled out. Evidence collection may take up to a week, officials noted.Avoided Disaster on the Ground
Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas expressed relief that the plane narrowly missed a direct hit on the house, crashing instead into its courtyard. "The outcome could have been far more devastating," he remarked.While the crash disrupted operations at Vilnius Airport, flights have continued with minor delays. DHL confirmed the plane's status as a Swift Air aircraft under contract and emphasized its commitment to cooperating with investigators.As Lithuania mourns the loss of one life and grapples with the implications of this crash, authorities remain focused on uncovering the factors behind the tragic event.
