This is the shocking moment a fighter jet is forced to crash land on an island popular with tourists after a fire. The NATO F-16 fighter jet made an emergency landing at Zakynthos Airport on the Greek holiday island of Zakynthos after suffering a reported technical failure.
The military aircraft had taken off from Araxos when a fire reportedly broke out, forcing the pilot to divert and make an emergency landing on the island, according to CNN Greece. Greek news outlet Proto Thema reported the Hellenic Air Force F-16 was participating in a NATO exercise when it developed the technical malfunction. The pilot was safely rescued and is “safe and in good health”, according to Greek state broadcaster ERT, while local media reported the aircraft came to a stop on the airport’s runway. Emergency services responded immediately after the aircraft touched down, with fire crews working at the scene to secure the jet.
eKathimerini, one of Greece’s oldest daily newspapers, reports that the jet, of the Hellenic Air Force, belongs to the 116th Combat Wing and had taken off from the Araxos Air Base, in northwestern Peloponnese.
The outlet reports that authorities are assessing the damage to the aircraft, which may have experienced a problem with the landing gear – though this is yet to be verified officially.
The unscheduled landing also caused disruption at the busy holiday airport, with local outlet Ermis News reporting that flights were being cancelled while the runway remained affected.
Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is one of Greece’s best-known holiday destinations, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
The Ionian island is particularly popular with British tourists, who flock there during the summer months for its beaches, nightlife and crystal-clear waters.
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