Two Bell helicopters hired to combat wildfires collided on Sunday in the Psatha area west of Athens, Greece, as firefighters struggled to control numerous blazes fueled by strong winds and extreme heat.

The Greek fire service confirmed the collision and immediately deployed search and rescue teams. One crew member was rescued safely, while efforts continue to locate the second. Dramatic footage showed one helicopter engulfed in flames after the rotor collision.

Worsening Fire Conditions

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the situation as "extremely difficult," citing winds reaching up to 100 kilometres per hour that hinder aerial firefighting operations despite Greece's extensive fleet of aircraft.

Nearly 500 firefighters battled a major wildfire near the coastal village of Porto Germeno, approximately 70 kilometres northwest of Athens. The fire threatened to spread towards the city's western outskirts after crossing mountainous terrain overnight.

Additional blazes were active in the northern Peloponnese region and on the Ionian island of Cephalonia, where authorities arrested a 44-year-old suspect for allegedly starting one of the fires.

Impact and Evacuations

  • Over 6,500 hectares have burned around the Gulf of Corinth, including Porto Germeno.
  • Villages such as Agios Nektarios were evacuated as flames advanced rapidly, damaging and destroying dozens of homes.
  • Local residents and volunteers joined firefighters in combating the expanding infernos amid challenging weather conditions.

Experts warn that the fire near Porto Germeno could be classified as a "megafire," having affected more than 10,000 hectares.

National Strain and Climate Challenges

Greece's Civil Protection Minister Evangelos Tournas stated that firefighting resources are stretched to their limits after three firefighter fatalities in recent days. Gale-force winds have complicated water drops and aerial operations due to turbulence.

The Mediterranean country's summer wildfire season has intensified due to climate change, with rising temperatures, drought, and heatwaves contributing to the severity and frequency of fires.