A terrifying incident unfolded in Greece as two helicopters collided mid-air while battling wildfires, resulting in a fatal crash. Tragically, the collision claimed the lives of two crew members, a Danish pilot, and a Greek fire service liaison officer. The devastating moment was captured on video as the helicopters crossed paths at low altitude over the wildfires in Psatha, west of Athens.
The collision caused one helicopter to clip the rotary blades of the other, leading to an explosion and a fatal plunge into a ravine. The second aircraft managed to make an emergency landing following the harrowing accident. The Bell helicopters involved in the collision were leased from an Australian company, McDermott Aviation, by the Greek Fire Service to combat a massive wildfire at the Attica-Boeotia border.
Despite the tragic outcome, a British pilot and a Greek crew member on the other helicopter survived the crash with minor injuries. Both were conscious and taken to the hospital for observation. The British pilot was privately hired and not part of a Greece-UK exchange program, as clarified by the Greece fire department.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the two frontline fighters in the battle against wildfires. The incident occurred in challenging weather conditions, impacting aerial firefighting efforts. The prime minister extended sincere condolences to the families of the deceased.
The crash happened amidst escalating wildfires in the Athens region, prompting additional evacuations due to strong winds. Apart from Athens, other areas in Greece, such as Kefalonia and Halkidiki, faced wildfire threats, leading to evacuations and firefighting efforts. Tragically, recent wildfires have also claimed lives in Crete and the Peloponnese, underscoring the severity of the situation in Greece.
Additionally, wildfires have ravaged neighboring countries like Spain and France, forcing a significant number of people to flee their homes. The wildfire situations in various regions continue to pose challenges for firefighting authorities and communities alike.