Germany-Bound Plane Catches Fire Shortly After Takeoff, Makes Emergency Landing in Italy | Watch
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A major air tragedy was narrowly avoided on August 16, 2025, when a Condor Boeing 757 travelling from Corfu in Greece to Düsseldorf, Germany, was forced to make an emergency landing in Italy after its right engine caught fire. The flight, numbered DE3665, was carrying 273 passengers and eight crew members when a series of loud explosions occurred shortly after takeoff from Corfu International Airport, followed by flames erupting from one of the engines.
The pilot acted immediately and diverted the aircraft to the nearest available airport. Brindisi Airport in southern Italy, located about 205 kilometres from Corfu, was chosen as the safest option. Despite the engine still burning, the plane landed at 8:15 pm local time, and all 281 people on board were evacuated safely without any injuries reported.
According to Condor spokesperson Johanna Tillmann, the fire was caused by a disruption in airflow inside the engine, which led to a chemical reaction. The cockpit’s emergency alert system had notified the pilot, allowing quick action and preventing what could have been a disaster.
Since Condor could not immediately provide a replacement aircraft, the passengers had to spend the night in Brindisi. Another plane arrived the following morning, on August 17, to transport them to their intended destination of Düsseldorf.
The DE3665 flight is part of Condor’s weekly service between Corfu and Düsseldorf, operating every Saturday. The scheduled departure time from Corfu is 7:50 pm, with an expected arrival in Düsseldorf at 9:35 pm local time.
The pilot acted immediately and diverted the aircraft to the nearest available airport. Brindisi Airport in southern Italy, located about 205 kilometres from Corfu, was chosen as the safest option. Despite the engine still burning, the plane landed at 8:15 pm local time, and all 281 people on board were evacuated safely without any injuries reported.
According to Condor spokesperson Johanna Tillmann, the fire was caused by a disruption in airflow inside the engine, which led to a chemical reaction. The cockpit’s emergency alert system had notified the pilot, allowing quick action and preventing what could have been a disaster.
Since Condor could not immediately provide a replacement aircraft, the passengers had to spend the night in Brindisi. Another plane arrived the following morning, on August 17, to transport them to their intended destination of Düsseldorf.
The DE3665 flight is part of Condor’s weekly service between Corfu and Düsseldorf, operating every Saturday. The scheduled departure time from Corfu is 7:50 pm, with an expected arrival in Düsseldorf at 9:35 pm local time.
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