Specialists investigating the location of a cargo aircraft crash in northern Greece say they've discovered no proof of harmful substances however say there may be nonetheless a variety of widespread ordnance.
The An-12 cargo aircraft from Serbia flown by a Ukrainian aviation crew smashed into fields between two Greek villages late on Saturday (early Sunday AEST.
Its fuselage dragged on the bottom for 170 metres earlier than it disintegrated, authorities mentioned. Locals reported seeing a fireball and listening to explosions for 2 hours after the crash.
Serbian Defence Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic advised a information convention Sunday that every one eight crew members have been killed.
He mentioned the aircraft was carrying about 10.5 tonnes of Serbian-made mortar ammunition to Bangladesh, which was the client.
It had taken off from the Serbian metropolis of Nis and had been as a consequence of make a stopover in Amman, Jordan.
The Greek Military's Particular Joint Nuclear, Organic and Chemical Defence Unit cleared two paths on Sunday for forensics specialists to maneuver in earlier than leaving.
The brand new crew was on the location on Sunday afternoon accumulating physique components. It has up to now recognized six of the eight crew members and goals to gather their proof by sundown, authorities say.
Explosives disposal specialists had additionally began engaged on the location, though it regarded like they must resume their work at daybreak Monday, native authorities mentioned.
It is just when their work is completed that Civil Aviation Authority specialists will attempt to retrieve the aircraft's black field.
The hearth service and police have created an prolonged safety perimeter due to the widespread ordnance.
Residents have been allowed to depart their houses since early on Sunday, however have been advised that their fields will not be secure to work in due to the doubtless presence of explosives. Close by filth roads have been closed to automobiles.
A plume of white smoke was nonetheless rising from the entrance finish of the aircraft on Sunday morning.
The aircraft was operated by Ukrainian cargo service Meridian. The Ukrainian consul in Thessaloniki, who arrived on the crash web site, advised native officers that the crew have been all Ukrainian.
"These have been illuminating mortar mines and coaching (mines). ... This flight had all crucial permissions in accordance with worldwide rules," Stefanovic mentioned.
The aircraft crashed shortly earlier than 11 pm on Sunday (6am AEST) about 40 kilometres west of Kavala Worldwide Airport.
Minutes earlier than, the pilot had advised air site visitors controllers he had an issue with one engine and he needed to make an emergency touchdown. He was directed to Kavala Airport however by no means made it there.
The aircraft is a Soviet-era four-engine turboprop cargo service.
Drone footage reveals that small fragments are all that's left of the aircraft.
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Firefighters who rushed to the scene Saturday night time have been prevented from reaching the crash web site by smoke and an intense odor that they feared may be poisonous.
Close by residents have been advised to maintain their home windows shut all night time, to not depart their houses and to put on masks.