Pilot dead in Greek Air Force jet crash off Skyros

The pilot of a Hellenic Air Force fighter jet that crashed off the coast of Skyros is dead, according to a Tweet by Greek Defence Minister Panos Kammenos.

The Mirage 2000-5 jet crashed Thursday into the sea off the coast of Skyros, some nine miles northeast of the island which is part of the Sporades group near the central Aegean. 

"A Greek pilot has entered the hall of Heroes. He fell fighting for his faith and country and his national sovereignty. The entire homeland mourns his death. Condolences to his family and all those who serve,” Kammenos wrote on Twitter. 

According to sources, the Mirage had been one of two jets on a mission to intercept Turkish jets in the Aegean earlier in the day.

The same sources said they did not believe any hostile activity was involved.

The Hellenic Air Force said in a statement that authorities lost contact with the jet some 9 miles northeast of Skyros at 12.15 p.m. Other reports said the jet crashed on the way back from its mission. 

Navy vessels were dispatched to search the area.