Two firefighters lost their lives Sunday in a midair collision involving two Bell helicopters engaged in combating wildfires near Psatha, west of Athens, Greece. The incident occurred as hundreds of firefighters struggled to contain multiple blazes ravaging the region.
According to Greece's fire service, the two-man crew, comprising a Dane and a Greek national, were unconscious when transported to hospital, where they were later pronounced dead. The second helicopter's crew survived and was rescued successfully.
State broadcaster ERT reported that all Bell helicopters in the area have been grounded pending an investigation into the crash. The helicopters were leased from Australian company McDermott Aviation, which has supported Greek firefighting efforts for seven years.
Fires Rage Across Greece
The collision adds to the mounting toll from this week's wildfires, bringing the total fatalities to five after three firefighters died in earlier incidents on Crete and the Peloponnese.
Authorities have recorded over 220 forest and agricultural fires since Monday, with particularly severe blazes near the Gulf of Corinth and the coastal village of Porto Germeno, leading to evacuations and extensive property damage.
Strong northerly winds, reaching speeds up to 100 kilometres per hour, have severely hampered aerial firefighting efforts, forcing many aircraft to remain grounded until conditions improved on Sunday. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the situation as "extremely difficult" with extreme weather conditions persisting.
Investigations and Arrests
Officials have arrested a 44-year-old man suspected of deliberately starting a fire on the Ionian island of Cephalonia. Additionally, two employees of an electricity company were detained in connection with a large fire near Porto Germeno, which reportedly started from a power cable spark.
Outlook and Response
Experts warn that the wildfire near Porto Germeno may qualify as a "megafire," having scorched over 10,000 hectares. The Civil Protection Minister, Evangelos Tournas, acknowledged that firefighting resources are stretched to their limits amid gale-force winds and challenging conditions.
Areas including greater Athens, Voiotia, and the island of Evia remain under near-maximum fire risk as authorities continue to battle the ongoing emergency.
