Two Killed In German-Registered Aircraft Crash Near Croatia's Zadar

Two people were killed after a German-registered two-seater aircraft crashed in Croatia's Velebit Mountains near Zadar. The aircraft was flying from the Czech Republic to Zadar when contact was lost. Heavy rain, strong winds and extremely dense fog made the rescue operation difficult, with teams taking nearly six hours to reach the wreckage. The victims' identities and nationalities have not yet been released.

Two people have been killed after a German-registered two-seater motor glider crashed in Croatia's Velebit Mountains near the coastal city of Zadar, authorities said.
The Diamond HK36 Super Dimona was travelling from the Czech Republic to Zadar when contact with the aircraft was lost shortly after 4 p.m. on Friday. The wreckage and the bodies of the two occupants were later found in difficult mountainous terrain.

SEARCH OPERATION HAMpered BY SEVERE WEATHER

A major search-and-rescue operation was launched after the aircraft disappeared from radar.
Rescuers faced heavy rain, strong winds and extremely dense fog, with visibility reportedly falling to around two metres. The difficult terrain also delayed access to the crash site, while poor visibility prevented search drones from being used effectively.
A 35-person mountain rescue team eventually reached the wreckage after several hours.
Police secured the crash site, with an official investigation beginning to establish the circumstances and cause of the accident.
The identities and nationalities of the victims have not yet been officially released. The Czech Foreign Ministry confirmed that they were not Czech citizens.

PREVIOUS DEADLY AIRCRAFT CRASH IN CROATIA

The latest accident recalls one of Croatia's most serious aviation disasters.
In April 1996, a US Air Force CT-43A military aircraft crashed into a mountainside near Dubrovnik while approaching Dubrovnik Airport. All 35 people aboard were killed, including US Commerce Secretary Ron Brown and other American officials and business leaders.
The investigation attributed the disaster to a combination of aircrew error, failures of command and problems with the instrument approach procedure, with poor weather also a factor. The crash led to changes in US military aviation procedures and equipment requirements.

INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

The circumstances surrounding Friday's crash remain unclear.
Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, flight path, weather conditions and the final moments before contact was lost.
The accident occurred in the rugged Velebit range, which runs parallel to Croatia's Adriatic coast. The difficult terrain and rapidly changing weather conditions can make aviation and rescue operations particularly challenging in the area.
Authorities are expected to release further information as the investigation progresses.