A tragic incident unfolded near the northern Italian city of Turin. A military jet, part of the renowned Italian Airforce team, the Frecce Tricolori, crashed into a family car. This happened during an acrobatic exercise, claiming the life of a five-year-old girl.
The Frecce Tricolori were engaged in a practice run when the shocking incident occurred. Eyewitnesses captured the dramatic moment on camera. The videos showed one of the jets abruptly dipping from the sky, ultimately crashing into the ground. Upon hitting the ground it struck a family car causing catastrophic consequences on the ground.
Tragically, the young girl, identified as Laura Origliasso, lost her life in the accident. Her 12-year-old brother sustained severe burns, while their parents were also injured but with non-life-threatening burns. The pilot, identified as Oscar del Do, managed to eject from the aircraft before the fiery crash. He was, however, reported to have suffered burns.
The chilling video of the incident shows nine aircraft flying in two tight V-formations before one rapidly descends below the others. It captures the aircraft’s descent, the pilot’s ejection, and the subsequent fiery impact on the ground.
The crash transpired shortly after take-off from Turin Caselle airport, near the industrial city of Turin. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash. This will go on with no immediate information available regarding the pilot’s condition or the factors that led to the accident.
Initial reports suggested two possible causes. The first, a collision with a flock of birds, which could have triggered problems leading to the crash. The second, engine difficulties reported by the pilot. The family was en route to San Francesco al Campo when the tragedy occurred.
The Frecce Tricolori is Italy’s premier team of acrobatic pilots, equivalent to the UK’s Red Arrows. They are renowned for their dazzling performances at national events, often leaving trails of red, green, and white smoke to resemble the colors of the Italian flag.
This devastating incident serves as a somber reminder of the inherent risks associated with aerial acrobatics, even for highly skilled teams like the Frecce Tricolori. The squad had been preparing for an upcoming show, but this tragedy has cast a shadow over their preparations.
Notably, the Frecce Tricolori has faced tragedy in the past. In 1988, three aircraft from the team collided during an airshow at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, resulting in the deaths of three pilots and 67 spectators on the ground. Hundreds more sustained injuries in that catastrophic event.
As investigations continue into this heart-wrenching incident near Turin, Italy mourns the loss of a young life and prays for the swift recovery of those injured.
