Two helicopters collide near Athens while fighting forest fires, two pilots killed
Two firefighting helicopters collided near Athens, with both aircraft crashing into a ravine. Two pilots, a Greek and a Danish national, were killed, while the other helicopter's crew made radio contact.
Greek emergency services involved in battling widespread wildfires near Athens have been hit by a fatal accident. Two Bell helicopters taking part in firefighting operations collided shortly after taking off from the Elefsina military airfield. Both aircraft went down in a ravine, each carrying two crew members.
According to the Greek Fire Service, the two pilots of one helicopter managed to communicate with firefighting headquarters by radio. The two crew members of the second helicopter were found unconscious and taken to hospital, where they were pronounced dead. A spokesman for the Fire Department confirmed that the deceased were a Greek citizen and a Danish citizen.
The collision occurred as a major wildfire raging roughly 50 kilometres west of Athens continues to spread. Flames have come within a few kilometres of the town of Megara, home to about 36,000 people. Initial estimates indicate that since Friday fire has destroyed more than 10,000 hectares of forest, as well as houses, barns and farmland, according to ERT.
Wildfires are also currently affecting France and Spain.
