Tragic Air Force Jet Explosion Shocks Italy, Heartbreaking Loss of a Child
Tragic accident as Italian Air Force jet crashes during practice, causing devastating consequences A 5-year-old child loses her life, while her 9-year-old brother sustains severe burns from burning debris Heartbreaking incident near Turin
A child lost their life and her 9-year-old brother sustained severe burns when a jet from the Italian Air Forces aerobatics squadron crashed during a practice run near Turin, Italy. The tragic incident occurred when burning debris from a massive fireball struck the car they were in. According to the Italian Fire Brigade, the MB-339 jet exploded shortly after takeoff at around noon local time.
The fire brigade reported that the pilot, who survived, was observed ejecting from the jet and deploying his parachute just moments before the aircraft collided with the ground. Authorities stated that he is now receiving treatment for burns at Giovanni Bosco Hospital in Turin.
The Frecce Tricolori aerobatic jets, which are a part of the Italian Air Force, were rehearsing a formation before the upcoming 100-year celebrations of the Italian Air Force scheduled for Sunday. As captured in various social media videos, one of the jets began descending in altitude immediately after taking off from Turin's Caselle airport. Tragically, the crash occurred within the boundaries of the airport.
The airport tweeted that it was closed temporarily.
Firefighters have cordoned off the vicinity after an Italian acrobatic air team, the Frecce Tricolori, crashed during a practice session near Turin on September 16. The remnants of a charred vehicle lay scattered at the scene.
Italian media outlets reported that the jets collided with a group of birds immediately after departure, as stated by Sky24, a CNN affiliate.
As per local media reports, the vehicle carrying the 5-year-old child and her family was traveling on a rural road that ran parallel to the airport.
Her brother survived and is now being treated for severe burns at the Regina Margherita Childrens Hospital in Turin, the hospital confirmed.
Their parents have also reportedly suffered burns.
According to the Italian Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Air Squadron General Luca Goretti, the Italian Air Force expressed its "deep concern and surprise" regarding the jet crash. The statement revealed that the Pony 4 aircraft, under the command of Major Oscar Del Do, experienced a decrease in altitude and subsequently crashed soon after the formation had departed.
The Italian Air Force has not confirmed the exact cause of the accident, but has hypothesized there was a bird strike during the very first phases of takeoff.
