Two Helicopters Collide Mid-Air While Battling Greek Wildfires; Crews Injured
At least two crew members were found unconscious after two helicopters involved in firefighting operations collided mid-air near Psatha, Greece, on Tuesday. The incident occurred about 65 km west of Athens, during a forest firefighting operation, according to the Greek Fire Department.
Video footage from the scene showed one helicopter striking the rotor of another, which immediately burst into flames. Both aircraft fell into a ravine. Greek media reported that four crew members were on board—two Greeks and two Romanians—and they were taken to the 251st Air Force General Hospital. The two unconscious crew members were reported to have sustained injuries, while the others suffered light injuries.
The collision is the latest dramatic development in a week of intense wildfire activity across Greece, where strong winds have repeatedly frustrated firefighting efforts. Several fires have forced evacuations from homes and villages, and more than 500 firefighters have been battling blazes along a swathe of territory including Porto Germeno, Psatha, Fokida, Megara and Kefalonia. Greek media described the campaign as a “titanic battle” lasting over 72 hours.
The fires in Greece are part of a broader pattern affecting southern Europe. Earlier this week, France and Spain also fought large wildfires, notably near Bordeaux and Madrid respectively. Those fires have been contained, though they continue to smoulder. Around 300,000 people who were evacuated have begun returning to their homes.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the mid-air collision. Investigations are ongoing. While most wildfires are sparked by human activity—either accidentally or deliberately—climate change is increasing the frequency of conditions that allow fires to spread rapidly. A mild and wet winter last year encouraged vegetation growth, which has since dried out in successive heatwaves, providing abundant fuel for fires.
The incident underscores the dangers faced by firefighters during extreme weather events, which are becoming more common across the region as global temperatures rise. Emergency services continue to monitor the affected areas, with weather forecasts indicating that strong winds may persist in the coming days.
