- A collision between two firefighting helicopters occurred on Sunday during operations about 65 km (42 miles) west of Athens, resulting in the deaths of two crew members.
- An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the helicopter crash.
- In the aftermath of the collision, Greece is battling raging wildfires with nearly 500 firefighters deployed to combat the flames.
- The seaside resort of Porto Germeno has issued further evacuation notices as emergency services continue to tackle major blazes.
- Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that the burden of the battle has fallen mostly on frontline responders due to strong winds making aerial firefighting unsafe.
- Around 220 agro-forest fires have broken out in Greece since July 27, with officials describing the situation as perhaps the most difficult days of the summer.
- Mitsotakis expressed that the loss of the Greek coordinator and Danish pilot fills us all with grief, while Ursula von der Leyen stated that Europe grieves with Greece and Denmark.
- Elsewhere in Europe, wildfires have swept through France and Spain, with Emmanuel Macron calling the situation the toughest since the Second World War.
Two crew members died in a midair collision between firefighting helicopters on Sunday while combating wildfires near Porto Germeno, Greece, about 65 km west of Athens. The incident occurred amid a severe firefighting effort, with nearly 500 firefighters deployed to tackle the blazes that have ravaged the region.13
The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, expressed his condolences, stating, “The loss of the Greek coordinator and the Danish pilot while they were operating in the major fire at Porto Germeno fills us all with grief.” He emphasized the challenges faced by emergency services, noting that “the burden of the battle” has fallen on frontline responders due to unforgiving weather conditions.57
As wildfires continue to spread, hundreds of people have been evacuated from surrounding areas, with a high-risk warning in effect until at least Tuesday. The situation is dire, with around 220 agro-forest fires reported since July 27. Emergency services are working tirelessly, utilizing water-dropping planes to combat the advancing flames.6
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, acknowledged the bravery of the fallen crew members, stating, “It takes a special courage to fly towards the flames so that others can be safe.” An investigation into the cause of the collision is currently underway.
“The collision occurred Sunday during operations about 65 km (42 miles) west of Athens, and an investigation into the cause is underway. Nearly 500 firefighters are battling blazes west of Athens, while a high-risk warning remains through Tuesday and hundreds have been evacuated.”
