Two helicopters collided mid-air while battling wildfires in Greece, resulting in the deaths of two crew members. The victims included a Greek coordinator and a Danish pilot.
According to reports from the French network France 24 and the Russian network Russia Today, both helicopters were engaged in operations to control a massive wildfire that had been spreading since Friday. Following the collision, one helicopter caught fire and crashed to the ground, while the crew of the other helicopter was rescued safely. An investigation into the cause of the accident has been launched.
Both helicopters were leased from the Australian aerial firefighting company McDermott Aviation. Initial video footage shows one helicopter entering the flight path of the other, leading to the collision. Authorities have grounded helicopters of this model pending the completion of the investigation.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed sorrow over the accident, describing the deceased as “frontline warriors fighting fires under extremely difficult conditions.” He noted that the country is currently facing a highly challenging situation due to severe weather and strong winds.
At least 220 wildfire incidents have been reported in Greece over the past week. Approximately 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft were deployed to tackle a major blaze west of Athens. However, strong winds hampered relief and rescue operations, and at times, scooping water from the sea became hazardous for the aircraft.
Several European countries are currently grappling with severe wildfires. Dry weather, strong winds, and rising temperatures have further complicated firefighting efforts. Greek officials have warned that the coming days may remain challenging, as the risk of fire persists in many areas.