Search Underway After Two Firefighting Helicopters Collide Battling Greek Wildfires

A major search and rescue operation is underway in Greece after two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air while battling a fast-moving wildfire in the Psatha area, west of Athens, as the country continues to grapple with one of its most severe wildfire emergencies in recent years.

According to Greece’s Fire Service, the two Bell firefighting helicopters, each carrying a crew of two, collided during an aerial water-dropping mission after taking off from Elefsina Military Airport. Emergency rescue teams, including air and ground units, were immediately dispatched to the crash site to locate and assist the crews.

Initial reports indicated that the two crew members aboard one of the helicopters were rescued safely after re-establishing communication with emergency responders and providing their location. However, search efforts continued for the second helicopter and its two crew members, whose condition had not been confirmed at the time of reporting. Authorities said further updates would be released as the rescue mission progressed.

The collision occurred as hundreds of firefighters, supported by aircraft, helicopters and heavy machinery, battled a massive blaze in the Attica region. Strong winds, scorching temperatures and prolonged drought have fuelled the fire, allowing it to spread rapidly through forests and residential areas. More than 100 homes have reportedly been destroyed, while several communities have been evacuated as flames threatened populated areas.

Television footage captured the dramatic aftermath of the mid-air collision, showing one helicopter plunging toward the ground after impact while the second aircraft also crashed nearby. Firefighting operations in the immediate area were temporarily suspended as rescue crews secured the crash site and searched for the missing personnel.

The accident underscores the extreme risks faced by aerial firefighting crews, who often operate in hazardous conditions with poor visibility, turbulent air currents and intense heat. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had previously warned that strong winds and unpredictable wildfire behaviour posed significant dangers to emergency responders working from both the ground and the air.

Greece is currently battling multiple wildfires across the mainland and several islands, including Kefalonia, with thousands of residents forced to flee their homes. The blazes are part of a broader wildfire crisis affecting southern Europe, where extreme heat and prolonged drought have contributed to destructive fires in France, Spain and other Mediterranean countries.

As rescue operations continue, Greek authorities have appealed to residents to comply with evacuation orders and avoid affected areas while firefighters work to contain the flames. The cause of the helicopter collision will be investigated once the emergency response has concluded.