A British couple on their honeymoon have been killed alongside their pilot after a private helicopter crashed on the Greek island of Sifnos.
The couple, identified as Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert, were killed in the crash on Monday, along with their Greek pilot, according to local authorities.
The helicopter crashed just metres from a landing pad as it approached its destination on the popular holiday island.
The couple had reportedly travelled by helicopter from the village of Markopoulo, near Athens, to Sifnos as part of their honeymoon, according to Greek newspaper Kathimerini.
A senior police official told The Times that the crash occurred shortly before the helicopter was expected to land at about 18:15 local time.
Emergency services and local residents rushed to the scene after the crash, where a fire broke out.
Sifnos Deputy Mayor Manolis Foundoulakis said he arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and described the wreckage as almost completely destroyed.
He said residents living near the landing area had witnessed the helicopter crash just metres from their homes.
Witnesses also reported hearing what they described as a “bizarre engine noise” coming from the aircraft shortly before it went down.
Two of the victims were found inside the wreckage, while the third victim was discovered a short distance from the helicopter, according to the deputy mayor.
Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames caused by the crash, with the fire brought under control later on Monday evening.
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear.
Greek authorities have launched an investigation to determine what caused the helicopter to crash moments before it was due to land.
The British couple’s deaths have prompted efforts to establish further details about their journey and the circumstances leading up to the incident.
The BBC has contacted the UK Foreign Office, Greek authorities and the aviation company involved for further information.
Sifnos is a popular destination among tourists visiting the Greek islands, known for its beaches, villages and traditional architecture.
The fatal crash has cast a shadow over the island during the busy summer holiday season, as investigators begin examining the wreckage and gathering evidence to determine how the helicopter came down.
(BBC News)