Two firefighting helicopters have collided west of Athens while tackling a large wildfire, killing both crew members on one of the aircraft, Greek fire services have said.
The collision happened on Sunday as gale-force winds pushed flames towards settlements on the western fringes of the Greek capital. According to officials, both helicopters were carrying two crew members and had taken off from Elefsina military airport before the crash. A search and rescue operation was launched immediately.
Fire service officials later confirmed that the two-person crew of one helicopter had died. The identities of those killed have not yet been released, and the cause of the collision has not been established. Investigators are expected to focus on how the two aircraft came into contact while operating in the same fire zone, where thick smoke and strong winds made visibility difficult.
The crash came as Greek authorities intensified efforts to control a massive wildfire threatening the outskirts of Athens. Video footage from Sunday appeared to show one of the helicopters going down as thick smoke rose from the blaze. The fire service did not immediately provide further details about the sequence of events.
Firefighting aircraft and ground crews have been working to stop flames from reaching densely populated districts west of the capital. The operation had already been complicated by extreme conditions, including gale-force winds that have shifted the direction of the fire. The area west of Athens has seen some of the most intense fire activity, with flames creeping closer to residential areas. The helicopters were part of that operation when the collision occurred, the fire service said.
The accident highlights the dangers of aerial firefighting, especially when multiple aircraft operate close together in smoke-filled airspace. Wildfires are continuing to burn in several European countries, including France and Spain, as well as in Greece, stretching firefighting resources across the region. The latest deaths come at a time when several national fire services are responding to simultaneous blazes, increasing pressure on crews and aerial units.
In Greece, summer wildfires have become a recurring threat to communities on the edges of major cities and in rural areas. The latest fatal crash is likely to renew scrutiny of aviation safety procedures during wildfire emergencies.
The operation to contain the blaze west of Athens was still under way, with firefighters concentrating on protecting homes and infrastructure on the outskirts of the capital. Further details on the investigation and the names of the victims are expected in the coming days.
