DHL Cargo Plane Crashes in Lithuania, Killing One Crew Member

• Nov 25, 2024

A DHL cargo plane operated by SwiftAir crashed early Monday near Vilnius Airport in Lithuania, killing one of its four crew members. The aircraft, en route from Leipzig, Germany, to Vilnius, attempted an emergency landing before skidding several hundred meters and colliding with a residential building, smaller structures, and a car.

Images from the crash site showed scattered debris, burning packages, and emergency services cordoning off the affected area. Fortunately, the residential building struck by the plane had been evacuated, with all 12 residents moved to safety. The head of Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre, Vilmantas Vitkauskas, confirmed the evacuation was successful.

Lithuanian police chief Arunas Paulauskas reported that investigators have begun interviewing the pilots to understand the events leading to the crash. As of now, the cause remains unclear, though Lithuanian officials have stopped short of linking the crash to recent investigations into incendiary devices found on Western-bound cargo planes.

"It is premature to associate it with anything or to make any attributions," said State Security Department chief Darius Jauniskis. However, he acknowledged the possibility of terrorism, citing increasing aggression from Russia as a concern.

The crash comes amid heightened security concerns in Lithuania. Earlier this month, authorities arrested suspects as part of an investigation into incendiary devices disguised as everyday items being sent on Western-bound flights. Similar incidents in Poland, Germany, and the UK have been linked to Russian military intelligence. Lithuanian President's chief security advisor, Kestutis Budrys, recently accused Russia of orchestrating these operations, describing them as acts of sabotage.

DHL confirmed the crash in a statement, emphasizing that the aircraft, operated by its partner SwiftAir, had made an emergency landing about one kilometer from Vilnius Airport. The logistics company expressed its condolences to those affected and pledged cooperation with the ongoing investigation.

Poland and Lithuania, both NATO members and strong supporters of Ukraine, have frequently warned about potential Russian sabotage within the European Union. The crash has intensified concerns about the safety of air cargo transport amid these geopolitical tensions.

As investigations continue, authorities remain focused on determining whether the crash was an isolated accident or connected to broader security threats in the region.