A 5-year-old girl was killed in a car on the ground when an Italian military jet crashed while participating in an acrobatic exercise in Turin.
Video captures the pilot, who survived, ejecting just before impact and a massive fireball erupting nearby Turin Caselle Airport.
The girl’s name was Laura Origliasso, according to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
In a social media post, Ms. Meloni described herself as “speechless” and deeply saddened by Laura’s death .
While their parents suffered burns, Laura’s brother suffered serious injuries.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini earlier described the collision as a “terrible tragedy”.
Nine aircraft are seen ascending in two precise formations in a video taken close to Turin’s main airport before one of them starts to separate and fall to the ground.
The pilot can be seen parachuting after ejecting from the aircraft as it crashes to the ground and thick black smoke is seen billowing.
Initial investigation suggests the plane may have collided with a flock of birds, which could have resulted in an animal getting inside the engine and causing it to fail, according to local Italian media.
The jet was part of the Frecce Tricolori demonstration team, which was scheduled to participate in an event commemorating the Italian air force’s 100th anniversary on Sunday.
Currently, Reuters reports that this event has been canceled.
Guido Crosetto, the defense minister, continued, “The ministry expresses its condolences to the family members.
He added officials “had made available every facility and skill for the handling of the emergency and in support of any people involved”.
In a post on social media, Mr. Salvini confirmed the pilot “jumped out with his parachute at the last moment”.
“A frightening tragedy,” he added.
Source-BBC
