Two helicopters collide mid-air in Greece while fighting wildfires near Athens

Two helicopters crashed mid-air on Sunday while battling a massive wildfire near Athens, Greece. The incident occurred as firefighting forces were engaged in efforts to control a blaze that had already destroyed over 100 homes northwest of the capital.

Greece's fire department announced that a search and rescue operation for the crews was immediately launched. Initial reports indicated that the crew of one helicopter had been safely rescued. However, searches were ongoing for the crew of the second affected aircraft. The helicopters went down near Psatha, west of Athens.

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Forces were immediately mobilized for a search and rescue operation for the crews, which is underway.

The crash happened as Greece grappled with multiple destructive fires. A separate blaze forced evacuations on the popular tourist island of Kefalonia. These events are part of a broader pattern of severe wildfires affecting Europe this summer, fueled by record-breaking heatwaves and drought conditions scientists attribute to climate change.

Firefighters, supported by international crews from France and Romania, were battling the flames. Residents in some affected villages, like Agios Konstantinos, were also participating in efforts to halt the fire's spread, with one local stating, "We as residents are doing everything we can."

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The fire has been burning since last night; it is certain that they cannot have forces everywhere. We as residents are doing everything we can.