Three people have been killed in a devastating helicopter crash on the Greek island of Sifnos, local officials have confirmed.
The helicopter crashed shortly after taking off, killing all three people on board.
The victims included the pilot and two passengers, who were reportedly British newlyweds, according to local reports.
Images circulating on social media appear to show the crash site on an arid hillside, with flames engulfing the wreckage and a column of thick, dark smoke rising into the air.
The private helicopter is said to have exploded before erupting into a huge fireball upon impact earlier today.
A huge inferno broke out, sparking a major response by emergency services.
Two firefighters and one fire engine raced to the site, according to local media.
A rescue team was dispatched to the scene from Syros, which arrived later on with the Fire Department’s RAFNAR speedboat.
The cause of the crash is currently unknown.
The pilot was believed to have been Greek while the couple were Britons.
They were said to have been enjoying their honeymoon at the time of the tragedy.
The chopper had just taken off from the island’s helipad in the Tholos area.
Fire services rushed to the scene
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REUTERS
It fell to the ground shortly after takeoff, according to the Kathimerini Daily.
A vicious fireball broke out in the uninhabited area, and no homes were hit, it is understood.
According to local reports, the pilot was hired just two months ago.
Manolis Fountoulakis, deputy mayor of Sifnos, said: “It experienced mechanical failure in the air, residents say it made a loud, strange noise, like military aircraft.”
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