A DRONE is expected today to approach the wreckage of a cargo plane operated by a Ukrainian airline that crashed the previous day near the city of Kavala.

According to state-run TV, army and explosive as well as Greek Atomic Energy Commission experts are expected to use the drone before approaching the site, as fears about the toxicity of the unknown cargo forces them to stay away.

The Antonov An-12 cargo aircraft crashed late yesterday near Paleochori village in northern Greece, the fire brigade said.

Videos shared by eyewitnesses on social media showed the plane engulfed by a giant fireball as it hit the ground. 

Last night saw people living in a 2km radius around the crash site asked to stay indoors and wear masks.

Two firemen were taken to the hospital early today with breathing issues because of the toxic fumes. 

Eyewitnesses said the aircraft was on fire and that they had heard explosions. 

A local man, Giorgos Archontopoulos, told state broadcaster ERT television he had felt something was wrong as soon as he heard the aircraft’s engine. 

“At 22.45 I was surprised by the sound of the engine of the aircraft,” he said. “I went outside and saw the engine on fire.”

Local officials said seven fire engines had been deployed to the crash site but that they could not approach because of the continuing explosions. 

According to media reports, the cargo aircraft was flying from Serbia to Jordan and had requested clearance to make an emergency landing at nearby Kavala airport, but did not manage to reach it.

State-run broadcaster ERT television reported that it was an Ukrainian aircraft, which according to villagers was already in flames before it crashed. 

There is no official information about the number of people onboard the plane. 

But ERT reported it was carrying eight people and that its 12-tonne cargo “was dangerous”.

Police were last night asking journalists at the scene to wear masks, the report added.

“You need to go away for your safety. There is information that the aircraft was carrying ammunition,” one firefighter told reporters at the scene.

“The aircraft crashed around 2km away from an inhabited area,” Filippos Anastasiadis, mayor of the nearby town of Paggaio, told Open TV. – AFP, July 17, 2022.