Two crew members have died following a midair collision between two firefighting helicopters near Athens, Greece. The incident occurred on Sunday while the aircraft were engaged in efforts to suppress a large wildfire in the Psatha area, located northwest of the capital. The collision involved two Bell helicopters that were part of a fleet leased from the Australian company McDermott Aviation to assist local authorities.
Emergency services confirmed that the two deceased crew members were a Greek national and a Danish national. The two other crew members involved in the crash—a Greek national and a British national—survived the incident and were rescued by emergency teams. Following the collision, authorities ordered all Bell helicopters currently operating in the firefighting efforts to be grounded while an investigation into the cause of the accident takes place.
The wildfire, which has been fueled by gale-force winds, has caused significant damage, including the destruction of more than 100 homes near the coastal village of Porto Germeno. Greek officials have described the conditions as extremely difficult, noting that high-speed wind gusts have made aerial firefighting operations increasingly hazardous. The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and acknowledged the immense danger faced by those working to protect communities from the encroaching flames.
McDermott Aviation, which has supported firefighting operations in Greece for the past seven years, issued a statement expressing deep sadness over the tragedy. The company is currently cooperating with the relevant authorities as they work to determine the factors that led to the collision. As the investigation proceeds, the focus remains on the safety of the remaining crews and the ongoing challenge of containing the wildfires across the region.