Two crew members died after two firefighting helicopters collided during a mission in Greece. The incident occurred approximately 65 kilometers west of Athens near the Attica-Boeotia border. The collision involved two leased Bell helicopters that were actively working to contain a large wildfire spreading through the region. One aircraft was destroyed in the crash while the second managed to make an emergency landing.
Authorities confirmed that the two victims were a Danish pilot and a Greek fire service liaison officer. The crew on the second helicopter included a British pilot and a Greek coordinator. Both survivors were transported to a hospital with minor injuries and remained conscious throughout the rescue. Following the accident, the civil protection ministry grounded all Bell helicopters across Greece to allow for an immediate review of safety procedures.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis publicly addressed the tragedy and offered condolences to the families of the deceased. The rescue effort involved tracking the coordinates provided by the surviving pilot to reach the crash site quickly. Despite this setback, other aviation assets remain in operation to support the five hundred firefighters currently working on the ground to manage the blazes.
Greece continues to face significant challenges with wildfires exacerbated by recent heatwaves. The current weather patterns have turned overgrown vegetation from a mild winter into fuel for fire. While containment efforts persist in areas such as Porto Germeno and Psatha, officials monitor the situation closely to prevent further spread across the affected territories.