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2 firefighting helicopters collide while battling Greece wildfire

A firefighting helicopter drops water over a cloud of smoke from a wildfire near Porto Germeno, some 70 kilometers (45 miles) northwest of Athens in the region of Viotia, August 2, 2026. (AFP Photo)
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A firefighting helicopter drops water over a cloud of smoke from a wildfire near Porto Germeno, some 70 kilometers (45 miles) northwest of Athens in the region of Viotia, August 2, 2026. (AFP Photo)
August 02, 2026 04:41 PM GMT+03:00

Two firefighting helicopters collided in midair Sunday while battling a wildfire in the Psatha area west of Athens, Greece's Fire Service said, with search and rescue operations underway for both crews.

"During the aerial firefighting operation, two (2) BELL helicopters, leased by the Fire Department, with a crew of two (2) people each, crashed in the wider area of ​​Psatha, Attica. The helicopters had taken off from the Elefsina military airport. The search and rescue operation is underway. A further update will follow," the Fire Service said in a statement.

The two aircraft involved were Bell-type firefighting helicopters, according to Greek media reports.

A firefighting helicopter reloads water while battling a wildfire near Porto Germeno, 70 kilometers northwest of Athens in the region of Viotia, Greece, August 2, 2026 (AA Photo)
A firefighting helicopter reloads water while battling a wildfire near Porto Germeno, 70 kilometers northwest of Athens in the region of Viotia, Greece, August 2, 2026 (AA Photo)

Status of the crews

According to initial reports, the crew of one helicopter, two aviators, has been rescued.

The crew of one helicopter, the two pilots, that crashed in Psatha while attempting to extinguish the fire are safe, according to the latest information provided by Greek media outlet Kathimerini.

A search and rescue operation is underway for the crew of the second helicopter that crashed.

Details to follow...

August 02, 2026 05:27 PM GMT+03:00
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