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A freighter operated by a Ukrainian airline crashed in northern Greece, officials said.
Greek civil aviation officials said Greek Kabbalah residents heard a big explosion and saw a fireball in the sky after the Antonov freighter from Serbia to Jordan went down on Saturday.
Greek aviation officials contacted the pilot shortly before the crash, who reported a problem with one of the plane’s engines and requested an emergency landing.
Authorities instructed the pilot to land at either Thessaloniki Airport or Kabala Airport.
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According to people familiar with the matter, the pilot chose the Kabbalah because it was close, but then lost communication.
The plane eventually crashed about 25 miles west of the airport.
The press was believed to have at least eight people on board at the time of the crash, largely depending on the number of passengers on the plane carrying the explosives.
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“We had heard the explosion a few minutes ago,” Pangaio Mayor Philippos Anastasiadis told The Associated Press. “I’m about 300 meters from the crash site.”
Local governments warn residents to stay home and close windows after a strong offensive odor is detected after the crash. Authorities did not immediately know if the plane was loaded with chemicals or batteries, so a recommendation was issued.
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Two hours after the crash, an explosion was heard from the crash site.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.