A firefighting operation in western Attica, Greece, turned tragic on Sunday after two helicopters collided midair while battling a wildfire in the Psatha area, killing two crew members and leaving two others injured.
According to Greek authorities and public broadcaster ERT, the helicopters were participating in efforts to contain the wildfire when they collided and crashed. A search and rescue operation was launched immediately after the accident.
The Greek Fire Service later confirmed that all four crew members had been located. Two were rescued alive, while two others were recovered unconscious.
A Greek and a Danish crew member died in the crash. The two survivors — a Greek and a British national — were transported to the 251st General Air Force Hospital in Athens for treatment.
The helicopters were leased Bell aircraft, with each carrying a two-person crew made up of a foreign pilot and a Greek coordinator. One of the pilots reportedly contacted the Fire Department’s operations center after the collision and said the copilot had been injured.
The crew of that helicopter was later located with minor injuries and was able to communicate with rescuers.
Both helicopters had departed from Elefsina Air Base as firefighting teams worked to contain the wildfire in western Attica.
Greek authorities have launched an investigation into the cause and circumstances of the midair collision. The incident adds another tragic dimension to the ongoing dangers faced by firefighting crews operating aircraft in difficult wildfire conditions.
Why the Incident Matters
Firefighting helicopters play a crucial role in battling wildfires, particularly when flames spread rapidly or difficult terrain makes ground operations challenging. The crash highlights the risks faced by pilots, coordinators and emergency crews working in demanding conditions during wildfire emergencies.
The investigation will determine how the two aircraft collided and whether weather, visibility, operational conditions or other factors contributed to the accident.
