Two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air while fighting wildfires in the western region of Athens, Greece. The incident led to a search and rescue mission in Porto Germeno, involving two crew members on each helicopter. Recent weeks have seen devastating wildfires in Greece, with a new blaze erupting northwest of Athens, requiring the efforts of nearly 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft.
The fire department reported the crash of two BELL helicopters, operated with a crew of two people each, in the broader Psatha area of Attica during the firefighting operation. One helicopter’s crew members were found safe, while the search continued for the occupants of the other helicopter. Media images displayed the severely damaged wreckage of one helicopter near the crash site.
Over 100 homes were destroyed, leading to evacuations near the Greek capital, exacerbated by strong winds hindering aerial firefighting operations. Evacuations were ordered for several areas, including Kandili, Agia Skepi, and Toutouli, with a particular focus on Porto Germeno. The fire affected a military firing range, activating unexploded ordnance in the vicinity.
The wildfire, starting near Agios Vasileios, spread towards Porto Germeno and the forested mountains west of Athens. Evacuations were conducted by sea, rescuing hundreds of people as the fire advanced. Wildfire experts estimated the blaze covered 15 to 19 square miles, although official figures were not released.
Flames continued to spread in western Attica, posing a threat to communities and industrial areas outside Megara. The situation echoed the tragic 2018 Mati wildfire that claimed 104 lives, the deadliest in Europe in this century. In other parts of Greece, fires threatened homes in Kefalonia and Nea Tenedos, prompting evacuations and aerial firefighting efforts.
Recent casualties among firefighters in Crete and the Peloponnese underscored the severity of the situation, with local residents lamenting the devastation caused by the relentless fires.
