Athens, Greece: A Danish pilot and a Greek fire service liaison officer were killed after two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air while battling a major wildfire west of Athens on Sunday, marking another tragedy as Greece faces multiple fast-moving wildfires amid extreme weather conditions.
The collision occurred over the Psatha area near Porto Germeno, west of the Greek capital, where emergency crews were battling a wind-driven wildfire that has been burning since Friday. According to Greek authorities, both helicopters were Bell firefighting helicopters operating on aerial water-dropping missions over the fire zone.
Each helicopter carried two crew members. One aircraft crashed following the collision, killing its Danish pilot and a Greek fire service liaison officer. The second helicopter managed to make an emergency landing, and its occupants, a British pilot and a Greek crew member survived with minor injuries. Both survivors were transported to hospital for treatment. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased or the survivors.
The exact cause of the mid-air collision remains under investigation. Officials have not indicated whether the helicopters made physical contact during water-dropping operations or while manoeuvring over the wildfire. No preliminary findings have been released, and investigators are expected to examine flight operations, communications and weather conditions in the area.
The helicopters were supporting efforts to contain a rapidly spreading wildfire near Porto Germeno, a coastal community on the Gulf of Corinth. Strong, gusting winds significantly complicated firefighting operations, limiting aircraft movements and, at times, preventing helicopters and water bombers from safely collecting seawater for repeated drops.
Nearly 500 firefighters supported by 23 aircraft were deployed to combat the blaze. The fire, which ignited near Agios Vasileios on Friday, spread quickly through dry forests toward Porto Germeno and surrounding mountainous terrain west of Athens.
Authorities ordered evacuations for the communities of Kandili, Agia Skepi, and Toutouli as flames advanced. Earlier in the emergency, firefighters evacuated 254 people by sea on Friday and another 12 on Saturday, with maritime evacuations becoming the safest option after smoke and flames threatened the limited road access from coastal settlements.
Wildfire meteorologist Theodore Giannaros estimated the blaze had affected approximately 40 to 50 square kilometres (15–19 square miles), although Greek authorities had not issued an official burn-area estimate.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed condolences following the accident. “The loss of the Greek coordinator and the Danish pilot at the time they were attempting the major fire in Porto Germeno fills us all with grief,” Mitsotakis said in a statement.
In a separate message, the Prime Minister also expressed his “deepest sorrow” over the deaths and extended condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of those killed while responding to the wildfire emergency.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also paid tribute to the crews, saying: “It takes a special courage to fly towards the flames.”
Greek authorities have launched an investigation into Sunday’s helicopter collision. Officials are expected to determine the circumstances that led to the accident while aerial firefighting operations continue against multiple active wildfires across the country.
