Firefighting Helicopters Collide Over Greece, Killing Two
Two firefighting helicopters collided in mid-air over Greece on Sunday while tackling a wildfire west of Athens, killing two people on board. The aircraft came down near Psatha as crews battled one of many blazes burning across the country during a punishing heatwave. Rescuers rushed to the crash site.
The collision was a grim reminder of the dangers facing those who fight Europe’s worsening summer fires, often from the air in smoke and turbulence. Greece, like much of southern Europe, has endured a season of intense heat and destructive wildfires, straining firefighting resources to the limit. Aircraft are vital in reaching blazes on steep and remote terrain, but crowded skies and poor visibility make such operations hazardous. Investigators will examine what caused the two helicopters to collide. Watch for the cause and the wider toll of the fire season.