Two helicopters collide fighting wildfire in Greece; four injured

Two helicopters crashed into each other on Sunday while fighting a wildfire in the coastal area of Psatha, Greece, resulting in injuries to all four individuals on board. The military Bell helicopters had been contracted by the Fire Service to combat blazes near Athens.

Authorities reported that the aircraft took off from Elefsina airbase and were operating under extremely challenging conditions, characterized by poor visibility and difficult navigation. Following the collision, a search and rescue operation was launched, successfully locating and retrieving the crew. They were transported to the 251 General Aviation Hospital.

According to Greek newspaper Kathimerini, two of the injured sustained minor wounds, while the other two were unconscious following the impact. Reports suggest two of the occupants were Romanian and two were Greek nationals.

The crash occurred as Greece grapples with numerous active wildfires across the country, exacerbated by adverse weather conditions, including wind gusts reaching 100 km/h. A persistent fire raged in a forested area on the island of Kefalonia, leading to the evacuation of hotels and tourist accommodations in the fishing village of Katelios.

This incident follows the deaths of three firefighters the previous week in Crete and the Peloponnese. Over the past week, fires have ravaged more than 16,000 hectares of forest and agricultural land. The country remains on high alert during its peak tourist season. Psatha, a popular summer resort near the capital, has also seen dozens of homes damaged or destroyed by the ongoing fires.