A cargo aircraft operated by DHL crashed near a residential building in Vilnius early on Monday morning, resulting in one confirmed fatality and a major fire. The crash occurred close to the Lithuanian capital’s airport and caused extensive damage to the immediate vicinity.
The Lithuanian Police Department reported that the crash happened at 5:31 a.m. on Žirnių Street. The DHL aircraft, operated by Swift Air and en route from Leipzig, Germany, came down in the yard of a two-storey residential building. Initial fears that the aircraft struck the building were later clarified; the crash occurred nearby, though fire from the wreckage spread to the property.
The aircraft carried four crew members: two pilots and two other staff. According to Renatas Požėla, Head of the Fire Safety and Rescue Department, one pilot, identified as a Spanish national, died at the scene. Another crew member was critically injured and is receiving treatment at Vilnius’s Santaros Clinics, while two others were rescued alive.
No residents of the affected building, which houses three families in four apartments, were harmed. However, 12 people were evacuated as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. Seven fire engines and airport fire crews were deployed to the site.
Investigation and Reactions
The crash has prompted a preliminary criminal investigation under Lithuania’s Criminal Code, focusing on possible negligence in the maintenance or repair of the aircraft. Authorities are examining whether technical faults or human error contributed to the accident. Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of the National Crisis Management Centre, described the incident as an “accident,” though General Commissioner Arūnas Paulauskas noted that the possibility of foul play cannot be entirely ruled out.
“A terrorist act is always a possibility that must be investigated. It’s one of the theories being examined, but thorough analysis will take time,” Paulauskas said during a press conference.
Investigators have indicated that collecting evidence from the crash site could take up to a week. The police have also confirmed the nationalities of the crew: two Spaniards, a German, and a Lithuanian.
Background and Broader Implications
The crash follows heightened concerns about aviation security, particularly involving DHL. Earlier this year, reports by The Wall Street Journal linked Russia to covert operations targeting cargo and passenger planes with incendiary devices disguised as consumer products. Two such devices detonated at DHL logistics centres in Leipzig and Birmingham in July, though no injuries were reported. The potential link between these earlier incidents and the recent crash in Lithuania remains under investigation.
Authorities emphasised that while the possibility of sabotage has not been confirmed, recent events underline the need for vigilance. The Vilnius crash site remains under heavy scrutiny as officials from various agencies work to determine its cause.
Aftermath
DHL has yet to release an official statement regarding the crash. The company operates the aircraft under a lease agreement with Swift Air. Flights at Vilnius Airport were temporarily disrupted but resumed later in the morning.
The incident has sparked calls for enhanced safety and security measures in the aviation sector, particularly for cargo operators handling sensitive or high-risk shipments. With investigations ongoing, further updates are expected as more evidence comes to light.
Image source: Delft.lt
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