Two killed in helicopter crash while fighting Greek wildfire

Tragedy struck while battling a massive wildfire northwest of Athens, as two firefighting helicopters collided, killing two people. The Greek Fire Service confirmed that the two victims were aboard one of the aircraft, while the two crew members of the other helicopter survived the catastrophic mid-air incident.

Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the collision. The incident occurred as Greek officials had raised the wildfire alert to its highest level for the Greater Athens area. Strong winds were fanning the flames, pushing them closer to the capital, complicating containment efforts by firefighters.

This devastating event in Greece is part of a larger pattern of extreme weather events impacting Europe. Several countries, including France, Spain, Germany, Turkiye, and Italy, are currently contending with widespread wildfires. Experts warn that rising temperatures and the escalating impacts of climate change are intensifying these blazes, posing significant risks to lives and property.