Two killed, two injured in mid-air helicopter crash during firefighting in Greece

A mid-air collision between two chartered firefighting helicopters has resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to two others in Greece. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday while the aircraft were engaged in battling a wildfire in a coastal area west of Athens.

The two fatalities were identified as the Danish pilot of one helicopter and his Greek co-pilot. The occupants of the second helicopter, a British national and a Greek, were transported to a hospital with minor injuries. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his deep sorrow over the accident, referring to the victims as "frontline fighters in the battle against fires."

The collision happened under "very adverse weather conditions," with strong winds reportedly fanning the flames and complicating aerial firefighting operations. Video footage appears to show the two helicopters flying in close proximity before the crash, with one subsequently catching fire and plummeting to the ground.

Both helicopters involved were Bell models and had been leased by the Fire Service. Following the accident, all Bell model helicopters participating in firefighting efforts in the area have been grounded as a precautionary measure, a move that comes at a critical time as wildfires continue to rage. This incident follows another tragic event last Wednesday, where three firefighters died while combating fires on the islands of Crete and the Peloponnese.