Rome, Sept 16 (EFE).- A fighter jet of the Frecce Tricolori, the aerobatic squadron of the Italian Air Force, crashed on Saturday in Turin (northern Italy) on its way to an air show, killing a five-year-old girl and injuring her family.
Italian Transport Minister and Vice President Matteo Salvini confirmed the news on his social networks, where he also uploaded a video of the accident, showing a plane breaking formation and falling to the ground before exploding.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragedy that has occurred in the Turin area. I pray for the little girl, only 5 years old, who lost her life in a tragic accident. I pray for her family and for the air force pilot who was miraculously saved,” said Salvini on X (formerly Twitter).
The girl’s parents and her nine-year-old brother were taken to hospital with burns, while the plane’s pilot survived after parachuting out seconds before impact.
The tragedy occurred after the squadron took off from Turin’s Caselle airport to participate with others in an air show celebrating the centenary of the Italian Air Force.
The plane, which was flying in formation, crashed near the town of San Francesco al Campo, about 20 km (12 miles) northwest of Turin, hitting the car in which the family was traveling.
The Frecce Tricolori fighter jets are Air Force aerobatic team that draws the Italian flag across the sky during national events and holidays in Italy. EFE romu/mcd
