The pilot of the DHL cargo plane which crashed this Monday in Vilnius, IN Lithuaniaand whoever died in the accident has Spanish nationality, as well as a crew member injured and hospitalized, the head of communications of the Lithuanian police, Ramūnas Matonis, informed EFE.
Matonis said it a German citizen and another Lithuanian were also injured and were hospitalized after the Boeing 737 crashed in a residential area near Vilnius Airport. The accident occurred on Monday around 05:30 local time (04:30 GMT), when the plane flying from the city of Leipzig (Germany) crashed near the Lithuanian capital. A two-story private house caught firealthough no casualties were reported at the scene.
According to the mayor of Vilnius, Valdas Benkunskas, the plane passed through the house complex and crashed in the courtyard. “The 12 residents of the house are safe and have been evacuated”he added.
The causes of the accident are still being investigated, the police spokesperson said.
“An on-site inspection will be carried out to ascertain the causes of the plane crash. All circumstances are under investigation“, underlined the General Commissioner of Police, Arūnas Paulauskas, in a press conference.
The event occurred at 05:31 local time (03:31 GMT) when the Lithuanian Fire and Rescue Department (PAGD) received information that an explosion and fire had occurred on Žirnių Street in Vilnius.
“The plane was landing, but fell a few kilometers before the airport, skidded several hundred meters and its remains hit a residential house,” PAGD director Renatas Požėla said at a press conference.
Paulauskas in turn reported that the plane crashed right into a warehouse near the building. It is a densely populated area.
Firefighters rescued three victims from the plane’s wreckage and extracted one dead person, the Spanish pilot.
Rescuers also evacuated 12 people from the building as the plane’s wreckage burned.
The fire was put out by firefighters who responded with six fire engines and a tanker.
A rescue coordination center has been set up on site. Police officers and airport staff also intervened.
The news was given at 07:33 local time (05:33 GMT). The fire was finally put out and individual extinguishing was carried out..
Acting Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė said that the municipality of the capital where the accident occurred will receive all the necessary help.
“The most important thing is that, even though the accident occurred in a residential area, no casualties among the people living there were avoided,” Šimonytė said in comments published on Monday.
“I ask you to trust in the institutions’ ability to carry out investigations in a professional manner and within the optimal timescales. Only these investigations will answer questions about the real causes of what happened, speculation and conjecture will not really help establish the truth,” he underlined, according to LRT.
How do international aviation authorities collaborate during accident investigations?
Interview between Time.news Editor, Sarah Thompson, and Aviation Expert, Dr. Elena Ristov
Sarah Thompson: Welcome to Time.news, Dr. Ristov. Today, we’re discussing a tragic plane crash that occurred in Vilnius, Lithuania. With the information that has emerged, can you give us a brief overview of what happened?
Dr. Elena Ristov: Thank you, Sarah. It’s indeed a tragic event. The crash involved a DHL cargo plane, a Boeing 737, which went down just a few kilometers from Vilnius Airport on Monday morning. The plane was coming from Leipzig, Germany, and unfortunately, the pilot, a Spanish national, lost his life in the incident. Additionally, several crew members, including a German citizen and a Lithuanian, were injured and have been hospitalized.
Sarah Thompson: That’s devastating news. I understand that the plane crashed in a residential area, which brings up concerns about safety. Can you elaborate on the aftermath for those living nearby?
Dr. Elena Ristov: Absolutely. It’s fortunate that the plane crashed in a courtyard of a private residence rather than causing damage to the building itself or more significant casualties. The local authorities reported that all 12 residents of the house were evacuated safely. However, it’s extremely lucky no one on the ground was hurt during this incident, despite the fire that ensued from the crash.
Sarah Thompson: It seems like there are still many unknowns regarding the cause of the crash. What do you think are the crucial factors that investigators will need to focus on?
Dr. Elena Ristov: Investigators will likely look into several areas. First, they will assess the aircraft’s flight data and cockpit voice recordings to gather an understanding of what was happening during the final moments of the flight. The fact that the plane was landing suggests there may have been a mechanical issue or possibly an issue related to pilot error. Weather conditions will also play a role in their investigation. Plus, the specifics of how the aircraft skidded en route to the airport need to be examined thoroughly.
Sarah Thompson: The firefighters responded quickly to the situation. Can you discuss the role of emergency services in such crash scenarios and what challenges they might face?
Dr. Elena Ristov: Emergency response is vital in these situations. The quick response of the Lithuanian Fire and Rescue Department meant they could manage the fire and assess casualties efficiently. They face numerous challenges, including securing the scene, dealing with potential explosions, and ensuring that any injured persons receive immediate medical care. Additionally, the presence of hazardous materials, like aviation fuel, can complicate firefighting efforts.
Sarah Thompson: Given the international implication of this accident, with crew members from different nations, how does international cooperation play a role in addressing such incidents?
Dr. Elena Ristov: Internationally, cooperation is essential for investigating aviation accidents, especially when they involve multiple jurisdictions. Safety protocols and investigations are typically coordinated between various countries and their relevant authorities. In this case, both German and Spanish aviation safety boards may be involved, assessing the investigation’s findings alongside Lithuanian officials. This collaborative effort helps ensure that all aspects of aviation safety are considered and that lessons can be learned to prevent future incidents.
Sarah Thompson: Thank you so much for your insights, Dr. Ristov. Your expertise sheds light on the gravity of such accidents and the complex processes that follow. We’ll continue to monitor the developments in this investigation.
Dr. Elena Ristov: Thank you, Sarah. It’s important to foster awareness of aviation safety as we await more details.
