Two Killed as Helicopters Collide While Fighting Greek Wildfire

Two crew members have been killed after two helicopters collided in mid-air while taking part in firefighting operations in Greece, in an accident that has prompted the temporary grounding of Bell helicopters across the country.

The crash occurred near the border between the Attica and Boeotia regions, about 65 kilometres (42 miles) west of Athens, as the aircraft were involved in efforts to contain a major wildfire. Video footage from the area appeared to show one helicopter striking the rotor of the other before one of the aircraft caught fire and plunged into a ravine.

The two people killed in the crash were a Danish pilot and a Greek Fire Service co-ordination officer. They were reportedly recovered from one of the helicopters in an unconscious condition but were later pronounced dead.

The other helicopter was carrying a British pilot and a Greek co-ordinator. Both survived the collision after the aircraft managed to make an emergency landing in an area covered by low vegetation, preventing it from crashing.

The two Bell helicopters involved in the operation had reportedly been leased from Australian aviation company McDermott Aviation, according to information from the Greek Fire Service. The aircraft had been deployed as part of the country’s aerial firefighting efforts at a time when wildfires were spreading across parts of Greece.

Following the accident, a source at Greece’s Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection told the BBC that all Bell helicopters operating in the country had been temporarily grounded as a precaution, in line with established safety protocols. The measure is expected to allow authorities to assess the circumstances surrounding the collision before such aircraft resume operations.

The identities of the four crew members involved in the accident had not been publicly released at the time of the report.

The crash came as Greece was facing a difficult wildfire season, with fires spreading during a period of intense and prolonged heat. Large numbers of people have been evacuated from areas threatened by flames, while emergency services have been working to protect communities, infrastructure and natural areas from rapidly advancing fires.

Wildfires have also affected several other parts of Europe following sustained periods of exceptionally hot weather. High temperatures, dry vegetation and strong winds can create particularly challenging conditions for firefighting teams, often forcing authorities to rely on aircraft to reach difficult terrain and attack fires from above.

Aerial firefighting operations, however, involve considerable risks. Helicopters frequently operate at low altitude and in confined airspace while carrying out water drops or supporting ground crews. Smoke, reduced visibility, rugged terrain and the presence of multiple aircraft can make such missions especially demanding.

The fatal collision has therefore raised immediate safety concerns as Greece continues its battle against wildfires. Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances of the crash, including the flight paths and operational conditions of the two aircraft, as part of the investigation.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed deep sorrow over the deaths. In a post on social media platform X, he offered his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the accident, as the country mourned the two crew members who died while working to contain the wildfire.