Cargo plane crashes in Lithuania

In a tragic incident early Monday, a DHL cargo plane crashed near Vilnius, Lithuania, killing one crew member and injuring three others. The Boeing 737-400, operated by Swiftair, was en route from Leipzig, Germany, when it went down around 5:30 a.m. local time. The crash site, located in a residential area near Žirnių Street, saw the aircraft skidding hundreds of meters before colliding with a house and bursting into flames. Emergency services swiftly responded, bringing the fire under control by 7:33 a.m.

Despite the severity of the crash, three crew members—a Lithuanian, a German, and a Spaniard—survived and are currently hospitalized. Remarkably, all 12 residents of the affected house were safely evacuated, with no casualties reported on the ground. Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas noted that the plane narrowly missed the house itself, crashing into the courtyard instead. Footage from a nearby security camera captured the plane's descent, followed by a fiery explosion that sent black smoke billowing into the sky.

The cause of the crash remains unclear, with Lithuanian authorities launching a thorough investigation. Arūnas Paulauskas, head of the Lithuanian Police, stated that the incident could be due to technical failure or human error but did not rule out the possibility of terrorism. Counter-intelligence officials are examining all angles, emphasizing that more time is needed to reach definitive conclusions. DHL and Swiftair have confirmed that the aircraft was under contract for cargo operations and are cooperating fully with investigators.

The crash has sparked concerns about aviation safety and security, especially given recent warnings in Germany about incendiary devices linked to international cargo. However, German authorities have stated there is no immediate evidence connecting Monday’s incident to those earlier threats. Western security agencies continue to monitor potential risks, particularly in light of covert operations suspected of targeting cargo and passenger flights in Europe.

Operations at Vilnius Airport resumed shortly after the incident, though some departures were temporarily delayed. As the investigation progresses, authorities remain focused on uncovering the exact cause and preventing future tragedies. The DHL cargo plane crash in Lithuania underscores the ongoing challenges of maintaining safety in global aviation, particularly amid rising geopolitical tensions and technical risks.