Panic on Rhodes–Karpathos flight as plane with 33 passengers catches fire after engine failure

A scene of terror unfolded in the skies over Greece, where 33 passengers and the crew of an aircraft faced moments of horror after a sudden technical defect. The plane, which had just taken off from the island of Rhodes, was hit by a serious malfunction that forced an emergency return to the runway.

According to information provided by Top Channel’s correspondent in Greece, Aleksandër Marku, the aircraft is a propeller-driven ATR 42, operated by Olympic Air and belonging to the AEGEAN group. The plane had departed from Rhodes’ ‘Diagoras’ Airport en route to Karpathos, but just moments after takeoff, the pilot was confronted with a critical alert in one of the engines.

Eyewitness accounts and footage obtained by local media show a dense trail of smoke emanating from the engine, while it is reported that flames were visible for a few seconds. Clips filmed by witnesses on the ground clearly capture the plume of smoke trailing the plane in flight. Following emergency protocols meticulously, the captain shut down the damaged engine and continued the flight on the remaining engine, executing a controlled landing without consequences.

On the ground, airport authorities had immediately activated the emergency plan. Firefighting crews and ambulances were positioned in full readiness along the runway, but fortunately their intervention was not needed. All 33 passengers and 3 crew members exited the aircraft safe and sound, with no injuries.

In a more measured statement, AEGEAN, through an official communication, did not acknowledge that there were flames in the engine. According to the airline, flight OA94 showed an indication of a possible anomaly in the lubricant circuit of one engine. In compliance with safety regulations, the captain made the correct decision to return to Rhodes. After the incident, the company dispatched a replacement aircraft from Athens to transport the passengers to their final destinations: Karpathos, Kasos, and Sitia. A detailed technical investigation will determine the exact cause of the defect, while the professionalism of the crew, who managed the situation with composure, is being praised.