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Tragic 'last words' of hero pilots who died in plane crash fighting Greek wildfires
Tragic 'last words' of hero pilots who died in plane crash fighting Greek wildfires
The tragic last words of two heroic pilots who died fighting wildfires in Greece have been revealed, as blazes continue to rage across Europe. Commander Christos Moulas, 34, and co-pilot Pericles Stefanidis, 27, were killed just before 3pm on Tuesday when their plane, which had been dropping water, crashed near the town of Karystos on the island of Evia near Athens. A firefighter on the ground is believed to be the last person to speak with the pair, telling Greek broadcaster OPEN: “I still can’t believe that three minutes ago I was talking to them and after exactly 10 minutes I learned that the plane had crashed. “We had contact with them,” he continued. “They did not report any problems with the aircraft. They told us, ‘We are ready to try. We go for a last supply and we leave.’ Have you been affected by this story? Email tara.cobham@independent.co.uk “A few minutes after we spoke, we learned over the radio that the aircraft had crashed,” he added. Footage showed the bright yellow CL-215 aircraft releasing its load of water before its wingtip apparently snagged on a tree branch. Moments later it disappeared into a deep fold in the ground from which a fireball erupted. The pilots, who were both said to be passionate about flying, died at the scene, with investigations into the tragedy ongoing, according to the Greek Fire Brigade. Greek City Times said Commander Moulas’ wife is believed to be three months pregnant with their first child. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said of the tragedy on Tuesday: “Today, we Greeks mourn the tragic loss of our pilots Christos Moulas and Pericles Stefanidis in Evia. “They gave their lives saving lives, proving how risky their daily firefighting missions are,” he continued. “The state respectfully stands by the families of the two heroes. They are two children, two brothers of all of us.” A three-day period of mourning in the Armed Forces was announced by the defence ministry to honour the pair. Mr Mitsotakis continued: “Words are poor to describe the national mourning for their loss... So, we grit our teeth and turn our silence into strength. In their memory, we continue the war against the destructive forces of nature.” The prime minister has warned of tough days ahead as Greece is bracing for at least another 48 hours of scorching wildfires and soaring temperatures, until conditions possibly improve after Thursday. He told ministers: “All of us are standing guard. In the face of what the entire planet is facing, especially the Mediterranean which is a climate change hot-spot, there is no magical defence mechanism.” The Greek Fire Brigade has already been battling more than 500 fires for almost two weeks, while the high temperatures of the recent new heatwave are set to peak throughout Europe on Wednesday, exceeding 44C in some areas of Greece. A blaze in Rhodes prompted “the biggest evacuation in Greek history”, with over 20,000 people forced to flee homes and hotels over the weekend, while around 2,500 people have already been evacuated from Corfu, which has been enduring dozens of blazes. Croatia, Portugal, Turkey, Italy and France are among the other European countries that have been battling wildfires in recent days, while the extreme weather conditions on the continent are being mirrored globally, from the US to Asia and Africa. Italy suffered a twin pounding from the elements when severe storms battered the north, killing a woman and a 16-year-old girl scout, while southern regions sweltered. In the south, a bedridden 98-year-old man died when fire swept through his home. The charred bodies of a couple in their 70s were found in their burnt-out home on the outskirts of Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily, according to Italian media reports. Another woman in her late 80s died in the Palermo province after an ambulance was unable to reach her home due to fires in the area. In north Africa, Algeria was fighting to contain devastating forest fires along its Mediterranean coast in a blaze, which has already killed at least 34 people. Read More Greece fires – live: Rhodes and Corfu brace for another 48 hours of wildfire hell as temperatures rise When will heatwave in Europe end? New forecast shows relief in sight Watch: Rhodes wildfire burns for seventh day as temperatures rise on Greek island How to tell if you have Covid or heatstroke Why do heatwaves in the UK feel hotter than abroad?
2023-07-26 20:59
Pfizer's maternal RSV vaccine effective at preventing severe infections in newborns, FDA says but flags potential risk of preterm birth
Pfizer's maternal RSV vaccine effective at preventing severe infections in newborns, FDA says but flags potential risk of preterm birth
Pfizer's vaccine to protect newborns from respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, by vaccinating their moms late in pregnancy cuts the risk that infants will need to see a doctor or be admitted to the hospital with a moderate to severe infection before 6 months of age, according to a new analysis by government regulators.
2023-05-17 02:52
Bijou Phillips filed for divorce from Danny Masterson to 'make an example' for daughter: 'People need to be held accountable'
Bijou Phillips filed for divorce from Danny Masterson to 'make an example' for daughter: 'People need to be held accountable'
In her court filing, Bijou Phillips also requested the judiciary to split up the couple's assets
2023-09-23 08:55
Tech breathes new life into endangered Native American languages
Tech breathes new life into endangered Native American languages
Linguistics experts are turning to cutting-edge technologies to revitalize threatened Native American languages -- and rejuvenate generations of Indigenous tradition -- through new approaches such...
2023-10-19 10:22
Tristan Tate delivers fiery response to 'selfless' fan's bold financial appeal: 'Wow, what's the catch?'
Tristan Tate delivers fiery response to 'selfless' fan's bold financial appeal: 'Wow, what's the catch?'
It's not uncommon for Andrew and Tristan Tate to receive bizarre requests from fans, and money requests are not unheard of either
2023-07-09 16:15
Former 'GMA' stars TJ Holmes and Amy Robach hold hands in adorable PDA moment at college football game
Former 'GMA' stars TJ Holmes and Amy Robach hold hands in adorable PDA moment at college football game
Amy Robach and TJ Holmes were seen standing close to each other while holding hands and smiling
2023-10-26 14:18
Who is Dr James Ryan? Maryland dentist convicted of murder after girlfriend's fatal overdose
Who is Dr James Ryan? Maryland dentist convicted of murder after girlfriend's fatal overdose
Sarah Harris, 25, died from an overdose of anesthesia medications, administered using an at-home IV station established in their shared residence
2023-08-27 19:18
Berlin 'lion': Wild animal probably a boar, authorities say
Berlin 'lion': Wild animal probably a boar, authorities say
Authorities call off a search for a suspected big cat spotted near the German capital.
2023-07-21 20:52
How old is Sebastian de Felice? Here's everything about Alix Earle's hookup drama with designer Donna Karan's grandson
How old is Sebastian de Felice? Here's everything about Alix Earle's hookup drama with designer Donna Karan's grandson
Alix Earle and Sebastian de Felice's unexpected connection has left many baffled, wondering about the nature of their relationship
2023-07-30 15:19
Former 'Family Feud' contestant Timothy Bliefnick gets life for wife's murder
Former 'Family Feud' contestant Timothy Bliefnick gets life for wife's murder
A judge has sentenced a former contestant on the television game show “Family Feud” to life in prison after he was convicted of first-degree murder in the slaying of his estranged wife in western Illinois
2023-08-15 10:19
How did Thomas Gambino die? Former New York City 'mafia prince' was 94
How did Thomas Gambino die? Former New York City 'mafia prince' was 94
The head of the Gambino crime family and philanthropist gangster, Thomas Gambino, has died at the age of 94
2023-10-15 21:24
Events at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant since the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster
Events at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant since the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster
The operator of the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant will start releasing treated but still slightly radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean as early as Thursday
2023-08-24 14:56