Tragic Cargo Plane Crash in Vilnius: Investigation Underway
A cargo plane operated by a contractor for DHL crashed on Monday in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, resulting in one fatality and two injuries. Local authorities report that the pilot, a Spanish national, was the sole casualty, while the injured include a German citizen and a Lithuanian, both of whom have been transported to the hospital.
The Boeing 737 crashed around 5:30 AM local time, striking a residential area near Vilnius Airport. According to reports from the Lithuanian state broadcaster RTL, the impact caused the apartment building to catch fire; however, fortunately, all twelve residents were evacuated safely and no further casualties were reported.
Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas stated that the plane did not collide with the house directly but instead crashed into the yard. Authorities are still investigating the causes of the crash, and the airport continues to operate, although some flights have experienced delays.
Darius Jauniškis, head of the State Security Department (VSD), urged caution in drawing conclusions too quickly about the cause of the crash. He acknowledged that the investigation will likely be extensive, emphasizing the need for thoroughness as multiple services are currently involved. "There are many details we still do not know, and it may be too early to make any connections or attributions at this time," he stated.
Jauniškis also noted the potential for terrorism as a factor, stating that the situation must be evaluated cautiously due to the increasing aggressiveness of Russia in the region. He mentioned that foreign partners have expressed concerns regarding possible sabotage or terrorist threats in the future.
While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, investigators are working diligently to uncover all circumstances surrounding the incident. Jauniškis assured the public that as more information becomes available, answers to the many questions are expected to emerge through the investigative process.
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