Two Helicopters Collide While Fighting Wildfire Near Athens; One Crashes
Greek broadcaster ERT reported on Sunday that two helicopters involved in extinguishing a wildfire west of Athens collided, and one of them crashed.
Greek public broadcaster ERT reported on Sunday that two helicopters collided west of Athens while they were taking part in forest fire extinguishing operations. One of the aircraft crashed after the collision.
The two helicopters had been involved in efforts to put out a wildfire in the area. According to ERT, several aerial units were working at the time of the crash. Additional details about how the collision happened have not yet been made public.
Mid-air collisions during firefighting missions are considered rare, but such incidents highlight the complexity of coordinating multiple aircraft in the same area. In Greece, wildfires are a recurring challenge during the hot season, and aviation plays a key role in responding to outbreaks. The presence of several helicopters and planes in one zone requires careful planning and constant radio communication between crews.
No information has been released so far about possible casualties, the affiliation of the helicopters, or their base. It is also unclear whether the incident has affected the overall firefighting operation.
The exact cause of the collision has not been determined. Authorities are likely to launch an investigation into the circumstances of the crash. In the meantime, officials are expected to provide further updates as the situation develops.
