On Sunday, two Greek firefighting helicopters collided in midair while combating a wildfire west of Athens. This caused one aircraft to crash to the ground. Both helicopters, identified as Bell models, operated over the Psatha region with two-person crews.
Two crew members, one Greek and one Danish national, lost their lives. The other two, a Greek and a British national, were rescued alive. Details about the condition or identity of the survivors have not been provided yet. The authorities have not disclosed if the deceased were on the same helicopter.
The helicopter collision highlights the intense danger faced by those battling wildfires in Europe.
The wind-driven flames forced evacuations as they spread closer to Athens. The fire began Friday near Agios Vasileios, eventually reaching Porto Germeno and the dense forests west of Athens. Firefighting efforts included evacuating 254 people by sea on Friday and 12 more on Saturday, as flames and smoke blocked main escape routes.
The response involved nearly 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft; however, strong winds hampered firefighting measures by preventing some aircraft from reaching the sea to collect water. The advance of the flames had significant echoes, recalling the region’s tragic 2018 Mati wildfire that resulted in 104 fatalities.
Evacuations were ordered for Kandili, Agia Skepi, and Toutouli as smoke filled the skies. Particular focus was placed on protecting Porto Germeno, a seaside town on the Gulf of Corinth. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was regularly updated on the firefighting efforts.
In other parts of Greece, wildfires threatened homes on the island of Kefalonia, initiating evacuations and aerial water drops. Another fire near Nea Tenedos in Halkidiki was also under control attempts. Earlier incidents this week led to the deaths of three firefighters in Crete and the Peloponnese.
“A pristine forest, a paradise, was surrendered to the hands of the fire,” remarked Minas Tzortzanis, a local farmer. The situation was described as one of complete destruction.
Beyond Greece, wildfires in France and Spain led to the evacuation of roughly 250,000 people, straining emergency resources. Europe started 2026 after experiencing its worst fire year, with over 3,860 square miles burned in 2025. According to the European Environment Agency, wildfires over the past four decades have resulted in nearly 800 deaths across Europe.
Europe is experiencing the fastest rate of temperature increase globally. The Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that since the 1980s, the continent has warmed more than twice the global average. Scientists from World Weather Attribution found that human-induced climate change doubled the likelihood of the extreme fire conditions fueling France’s blazes.
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