Two crew killed in mid-air collision of firefighting helicopters in Greece
Two crew members have been killed following a mid-air collision between two firefighting helicopters combating severe wildfires west of Athens.
Greece Battles Wildfires
A mid-air collision of two firefighting helicopters in Greece has resulted in the deaths of two crew members. The incident occurred while the helicopters were battling wildfires west of Athens. A Danish pilot and a Greek fire service liaison officer were killed in the crash, while a British pilot and another Greek coordinator on the second helicopter survived with minor injuries, according to ca.news.yahoo.com.
The helicopters, which were leased from Australian company McDermott Aviation, were part of efforts to tackle a large wildfire burning on the Attica-Boeotia border. The cause of the collision is currently under investigation. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his "deepest sorrow" over the accident and extended condolences to the families of the firefighters killed, as reported by ca.news.yahoo.com.
The incident highlights the dangers faced by firefighters as they battle to contain the spread of wildfires in Greece. The country has been experiencing a severe heatwave, with temperatures soaring and dry conditions exacerbating the fire threat. Strong winds have also been hampering firefighting efforts, forcing further evacuations and threatening communities near the capital, according to abc.net.au.
According to the Greek Fire Service, the two Bell helicopters collided on Sunday while taking part in efforts to tackle the wildfire. The crew members of one aircraft were rescued alive, while the second crew were recovered unconscious and later pronounced dead. All Bell helicopters across the country have been grounded as a precaution, according to a source from the civil protection ministry, as reported by ca.news.yahoo.com.
The survivors of the crash, a British pilot and a Greek fire service liaison officer, were admitted to hospital for observation. The British pilot was a private pilot hired for the wildfire season and was not part of any exchange between the UK and Greece, according to ca.news.yahoo.com.
European Wildfire Emergency
The incident in Greece is part of a wider crisis across southern Europe, where countries are battling devastating wildfires. In France, a massive wildfire has been burning for days, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people. The fire has scorched over 420 square kilometers of land, making it one of the largest wildfires in the country's history, as reported by abc.net.au.
In Spain, firefighters have been battling several large wildfires, including one that has burned over 18 square kilometers of land in the Var department. The country has declared a national emergency due to the severity of the wildfires, which have killed at least 13 people and forced the evacuation of thousands more, according to abc.net.au.
The European Union has warned that the continent is facing its worst fire year on record, with over 10,000 square kilometers of land burned in 2025. The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service has also reported that Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, with temperatures rising more than twice the global average since the 1980s, as reported by abc.net.au.
Human-caused climate change has been linked to the extreme fire weather conditions behind this year's French blazes, with scientists warning that the situation is likely to worsen in the coming years, according to abc.net.au.
Response and Support
The international community has offered support to Greece and other affected countries, with several nations sending firefighting teams and equipment to help battle the blazes. The EU has also activated its Civil Protection Mechanism, which provides financial and operational support to countries affected by natural disasters, as reported by abc.net.au.
John McDermott, the founder and president of McDermott Aviation, said his staff's "thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families, friends and colleagues of those affected by this tragic incident," as reported by ca.news.yahoo.com. McDermott Aviation is working closely with the relevant authorities and will continue to assist as they undertake their investigation into the incident.
