Archive · 2 Aug 2026
Helicopters Collide While Fighting Wildfires Near Athens
Two helicopters that were trying to put out a big fire near Athens crashed into each other.
One helicopter exploded and fell into a ravine, while the other dropped its water and flew away.
Rescue teams found two people from the crashed helicopter, one was still alive but unconscious and the other was dead.
The crash happened because the wind was very strong, making it hard for the helicopters to fly safely.
The fire itself has burned a huge area, more than 6,500 hectares, and the government says it is a very difficult situation.
Two firefighting helicopters collided over Psatha, west of Athens, while battling a wildfire.
The collision caused one helicopter to explode and crash into a ravine; the other released its water load and escaped.
Search and rescue teams recovered two crew members from the crashed helicopter, one unconscious and one deceased; the other crew was found safe.
The incident occurred amid a widespread wildfire season that has burned over 6,500 hectares, with winds up to 100 km/h hampering operations.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the situation as “extremely difficult” and a “force of nature” beyond human control.
- Who
- Greek fire service crews and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
- What
- Two firefighting helicopters collided while battling a wildfire
- When
- Sunday
- Where
- Psatha area west of Athens, Greece
- Why
- Extreme winds and intense fire conditions hampered operations
- Incident
- Mid‑air collision of two firefighting helicopters
- Location
- Psatha, Attica, Greece
- Date
- Sunday
- Casualties
- 2 crew members recovered (1 unconscious, 1 deceased); 1 crew safe
- Aircraft
- Bell helicopters
- Weather
- Winds up to 100 km/h
- Wildfire area
- >6,500 hectares burned
