DHL cargo plane crashes into house near Vilnius, one dead, three injured

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A DHL cargo plane crashed into a house near Vilnius, Lithuania, on November 25, 2024, killing one crew member and injuring three others. Operated by Swiftair on behalf of DHL, the aircraft was traveling from Leipzig, Germany, to Vilnius Airport when it crashed shortly before landing at approximately 5:30 AM local time.

The crash occurred in a residential area, striking a two-story house and igniting a fire. Fortunately, all twelve residents of the home were safely evacuated before the incident. Emergency services quickly arrived at the scene, with firefighters working to extinguish the flames and search for any additional victims.

Preliminary reports suggest the plane made a turn while aligning for landing and crashed about 1.5 kilometers short of the runway. Weather conditions at the time included freezing temperatures and low visibility due to cloud cover.

The Boeing 737 involved in the accident was 31 years old, an age that, while not uncommon for cargo aircraft, has raised questions about operational safety. Authorities have launched an investigation into the crash, and the site remains under heavy police and ambulance presence.

This incident has heightened concerns over aviation safety and the handling of cargo flights in adverse weather conditions. Updates will follow as the investigation progresses.