The short version
- Two crew members died after their helicopter collided with another while battling fires near Athens.
- Survivors from the second aircraft sustained minor injuries and assisted rescuers in locating the crash site.
- All Bell helicopters have been grounded pending an investigation into the mid-air incident.
Two crew members were killed when two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air near Athens, Greece. The accident occurred while the aircraft were engaged in efforts to combat large wildfires burning on the Attica-Boeotia border. Video footage showed one Bell helicopter striking the propellers of the other, causing it to burst into flames and crash into a ravine. The fatalities included a Danish pilot and a Greek fire service liaison officer.
The crew of the second helicopter survived the incident with minor injuries. A British pilot and a Greek coordinator remained conscious and were hospitalized for observation. Sources indicated that the survivors immediately reported the collision and guided emergency responders to the crash site. Following the accident, authorities grounded all Bell helicopters in the country as a precautionary measure while forensic experts investigate the cause.
The collision has intensified concerns about safety during the ongoing wildfire crisis. Greece is currently battling extensive fires across multiple regions, including Kefalonia and Megara, with over 500 firefighters deployed. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life. Other aircraft types, such as Erickson Air-Crane and Canadair planes, continue to support firefighting operations.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC World↗Two crew killed after firefighting helicopters collide in Greece, as British pilot survives
