Two die as firefighting helicopters collide in Greece, French blaze changes course

A tragic collision between two firefighting helicopters claimed the lives of two individuals on Sunday while they were engaged in efforts to control a massive wildfire in Greece. The blaze, which has ravaged over 100 homes northwest of Athens, prompted evacuations on the tourist island of Kefalonia due to a separate fire. The fire service confirmed that a Greek and a Danish national died in one helicopter, while the three-person crew of the other, including individuals from Greece and Britain, survived.

Investigations have commenced to determine the cause of the mid-air collision. This incident occurs as Europe grapples with a severe wildfire season, marked by record-breaking heatwaves and prolonged dry spells, conditions scientists attribute to climate change. While destructive fires in France and Spain showed signs of abating over the weekend, Greece has seen several new outbreaks following a period of relative calm.

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Two people on one helicopter, a Greek and a Danish national, died, while the crew on the other, one person from Greece, one from Britain, survived.

The collision took place in the Psatha area of the Attica region, according to the Greek fire service. Footage circulating online appears to show the two helicopters operating at low altitude before one struck the other, leading to a crash in flames. The second helicopter managed to release its water load and depart the scene. Separately, investigations into the origin of the Boeotia fire, which spread to Attica, suggest it may have been caused by sparks from electrical conductors on a private network linked to wind turbines. Authorities have arrested two Greek nationals on suspicion of negligence, with another suspect still at large.

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Investigations had started into what caused the collision.