Two pilots killed when Greek Air Force F‑4 Phantom crashes at Athens Flying Week

A Greek air force jet has crashed at an air show north of Athens, killing the two pilots, officials said.

The crash of the twin-seat Phantom F-4 jet occurred during a low-altitude manoeuvre, sending up large plumes of black smoke.

Thousands of spectators attended the aerial show on Saturday, but there were no injuries in the crowd.

Air force officials in Greece said the bodies of the two pilots were located during a rescue operation that was hampered in the early stages by a fire on the grounds of Tanagra air force base, 60 kilometres north of Athens.

Eleven water-dropping planes and helicopters assisted 85 firefighters in an effort to contain the blaze, which remained at some distance from the viewing area at the annual Athens Flying Week show.

Organisers cancelled remaining events planned over the weekend, while the fire prompted an evacuation order in an area near the base.

Video footage of the crash showed a plume of smoke rising from the point of impact followed by a larger, second explosion that occurred nearby as the plane broke apart.

Cyprus' Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said he had called his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, to express the condolences of his government.

"It is with deep sadness that I learned of the death of the two officers of the Hellenic Air Force, who lost their lives in the tragic accident that occurred during the air show at Tanagra Air Base," Mr Palmas wrote in an online post.