Greek firefighting department reported on Sunday (August 2) that two firefighting helicopters collided during operations to extinguish a large wildfire in western Athens. Authorities are currently conducting search and rescue operations in the Psatha area, with one helicopter’s crew already safely located. The wildfire has destroyed over 100 buildings.
The firefighting department stated, “During a firefighting operation in the Psatha area, two helicopters involved in firefighting collided. Rescue forces immediately initiated search and rescue operations for the helicopter crew, which are currently ongoing.”
According to Reuters, officials mentioned that the crew of one helicopter has been found and confirmed safe, with an ambulance rushing to the scene to transport them. The search and rescue operation for the crew of the other helicopter, which has been located, is still underway.
Multiple media outlets shared videos on the social media platform X, showing the two firefighting helicopters flying at low altitudes and gradually approaching each other. The main rotor of the lower helicopter collided with the bottom of the upper helicopter. The lower helicopter caught fire and crashed, while the upper helicopter continued flying after dispensing water.
These two helicopters both took off from Elefsina Air Base.
This summer, Europe has faced record-breaking heatwaves and drought conditions, leading to severe wildfires. Destructive fires in France and Spain showed signs of easing over the weekend, but Greece, after a relatively calm period, experienced multiple wildfires.
About 60 kilometers (40 miles) northwest of Athens in Gulf of Corinth near Porto Germeno, despite the weakening of strong winds fueling the blaze, flames crossed over southern mountains, spreading to the Veniza residential area and a military shooting range, igniting unexploded ordnance. Currently, firefighters are doing their utmost to prevent the flames from reaching the coastal town of Megara with a population of around 30,000.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated in a speech on Sunday, “Sometimes, the power of nature and the intensity of extreme weather exceed all human planning and response capabilities.”
Authorities in Greece issued emergency evacuation alerts for several residential areas in western Attica, including an industrial zone near Megara.
In the village of Agios Konstantinos, residents are working tirelessly to prevent the spread of the fire.
“The fire started burning last night. They can’t deploy firefighting forces everywhere. We villagers are doing everything we can to put out the fire,” said 61-year-old Tasos Tzempelikos to Reuters, as he and his son were using water to extinguish the flames.