Archive · 3 Aug 2026
Helicopter Crash Fuels Wildfire Evacuations in Greece
A wildfire started near Athens on Friday and grew big because of hot, dry weather and strong winds.
Two firefighting helicopters crashed into each other, killing a Greek and a Danish crew member.
Firefighters and helicopters flew in to drop water, but the wind made it hard.
Many people had to leave their homes, and some were rescued by boats.
The fire might have started from a broken power line from a wind farm, and two people were arrested for that.
In France, a huge fire also burned, and many people had to leave their houses too.
Two firefighting helicopters collided near Psatha, killing a Greek and a Danish crew member.
The wildfire, started Friday, forced the evacuation of over 1,000 people and burned pine forests.
Strong winds slowed Monday, giving hope to stop the blaze, but rising temperatures remain a risk.
Investigators suspect sparks from a faulty power line from a private wind generator caused the fire, leading to arrests.
France's Gironde megafire remains contained but still has hotspots, with 224,000 people evacuated.
- Who
- Greek and Danish crew members, Greek and British crew members, firefighters, Greek authorities
- What
- Midair collision of firefighting helicopters during a wildfire, leading to deaths, injuries, and widespread evacuations
- When
- Sunday night collision, Monday morning operations
- Where
- Near Psatha, west of Athens, Greece; also France's Gironde region
- Why
- Wildfire sparked by sparks from a faulty power line, exacerbated by strong winds
- Location
- West of Athens, Greece
- Fatalities
- 2
- Evacuated
- 1,000+
- Arrests
- 2
- Suspected Cause
- Faulty power line from wind generator
- France Evacuation
- 224,000
