1st LD Writethru: Aircraft collide at Portugal air show killing Spanish pilot


LISBON, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Two aircraft collided Sunday afternoon at the Beja Air Show, killing one and injuring another, according to an official report by the Portuguese Air Force.

In a statement, officials also reported that the fatality was of Spanish nationality and a member of the Iberian patrol team Yakstars, which was performing an aerial demonstration.

According to the Air Force's website, Yakstars is an aerobatic display team, the first in the history of Iberian military and civilian aviation, consisting of Portuguese and Spanish pilots.

In light of the accident, the Beja Air Show event was immediately canceled.

Images of the accident broadcast by CMTV, a local TV network, show one of the aircraft from a group of six falling vertically and crashing, causing a strong explosion, while another hits the ground horizontally.

The Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Aircraft and Railway Accidents (GPIAAF) informed the Lusa news agency that it has dispatched a team to Air Base No. 11 in Beja, as the festival where the accident occurred is organized and has airspace controlled by the Armed Forces.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Norway moves some of its 60 soldiers in Middle East due to security situation
Russia says no peace dialogue ongoing with Japan over territorial dispute
Over 5,000 women, girls killed in Ukraine since 2022, says UN
Europe's strongest military powers plan drone defence programme
Trump ally ties up with Russia's Novatek on natural gas in Alaska, NYT reports
Police search royal mansion as investigation into king's brother goes on
Snow-induced halt to flights in Vienna extended until 1100 GMT
Journalist with Germany's Deutsche Welle detained in Turkey
Ukrainians mourn missing homes and loved ones after four years of war
Exclusive-Ukraine's 2026 defence exports could hit 'several billion dollars', official says

Others Also Read