Τhe bodies of two Israeli nationals have been recovered short after 9 o’ clock Monday evening following the crash of a small Cessna aircraft off the island of Samos, eastern Aegean Sea.
According to state broadcaster ERT, rescuers located first the body of one passenger, a woman, and short time later also the body of the second passenger, a man.
The couple was the only passengers on the Cessna 172.
The aircraft had reportedly come from Israel Monday evening,. While it was attempting to land at the Samos airport, it swayed in the air, an explosion was heard and the plane crashed into the sea area pf Potokaki, right next to the airport around 8:30 p.m., local media reported.
The Greek Coast Guard launched a Search and Rescue Operation with ten vessels. One Frontex patrol boat, several private fishing boats and a Super Puma helicopter of the Navy participated in the SAR as well.
SAR VIDEO
שני ישראלים נהרגו בהתרסקות מטוס קל ביוון סמוך להאי סאמוס 📍#Σάμος #Ελλάδα#Greece pic.twitter.com/venfE5x2Mj
— Fire News (@T_FireNews) September 13, 2021
A fishing boat and the Frontax vessel reportedly located the aircraft wreck.
