Firefighting helicopter crash kills two during Greece wildfire mission

Two Greek firefighting helicopters collided in midair while battling a wildfire west of Athens, causing one of the aircraft to crash and killing two crew members.

The collision occurred on Sunday, August 2, over the Psatha area, west of the Greek capital. Two of the four crew members aboard the two Bell helicopters—a Greek and a Danish national—were killed. The other two, a Greek and a British national, were rescued alive, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Associated Press (AP).

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.

Strong winds continue to drive the wildfire deeper into the Athens region, prompting fresh evacuation orders. Authorities have instructed residents of the villages of Kandili, Agia Skepi, and Toutouli to evacuate as smoke spread over the surrounding mountains. The coastal settlement of Porto Germeno on the Gulf of Corinth remains a particular concern.

The fire broke out on Friday, July 31, near Agios Vasileios before spreading to Porto Germeno and the forested mountains west of Athens. 

Rescue teams evacuated 254 people by sea on July 31 and another 12 on August 1, as fire and dense smoke blocked the limited road access to the coastal communities.

Strong wind gusts also prevented some firefighting aircraft from scooping water from the sea, disrupting part of the aerial response. Around 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft have been deployed to battle the blaze.

By Jeyhun Aghazada