World
November 26, 2024 11:00
vilnius - The recent crash of a DHL cargo plane in Vilnius, which resulted in the death of the pilot and injuries to crew members, has led to speculation regarding possible sabotage or technical failure.
There seemed to be no problem in sight as the Boeing 737-476 was on its way from Leipzig to Vilnius for landing. However, the cargo plane operated by Spanish Swiftair on behalf of courier company DHL had not reached its destination by half past five on Monday morning.
About four kilometers from Vilnius airport, the aircraft touched the ground prematurely. It slid for several hundred meters, hitting a residential building and causing a fire. Luckily, thirteen residents managed to escape. The pilot, a Spaniard, did not survive the crash. Three other crew members from Spain, Germany, and Lithuania were taken to the hospital with injuries. Experts consider their survival a miracle.
There were no signs of an explosion, fire, or smoke before the crash, according to the Lithuanian National Crisis Management Center. One of the surviving crew members, who has spoken to the investigators, confirms this. The communication between the pilots and air traffic control was reported as calm and routine.
The head of Lithuanian police suggests that the crash is likely due to a technical fault or human error. However, there are suspicions that more might be at play, especially given previous incidents involving DHL. In July, a package at Leipzig airport caught fire, coincidentally bound for Vilnius.
In August, German authorities warned about the shipment of unconventional incendiary devices through cargo transport. A German intelligence document suggested possible Russian involvement in these actions. A similar incident occurred in Birmingham in July, with British authorities also suspecting Russian sabotage.
Amidst these concerns, some experts do not rule out the possibility of sabotage. The crash in Vilnius fits a pattern of hybrid warfare by Russia against European countries supporting Ukraine, according to military analyst Franz-Stefan Gady. It is feared that Russia may escalate such actions in Europe to sow uncertainty and destabilize the west.
Speculation also arises about Russia interfering with GPS systems of European aircraft, particularly over the Baltic Sea. Could manipulation of the navigation system have caused the crash in Vilnius? While a former colonel deems this scenario unlikely, as the abnormal flight pattern would have been detected by air traffic control, questions remain regarding the cause of the tragic incident.