In brief
During a firefighting operation near Athens, two Bell helicopters collided mid‑air, causing one to burst into flames and crash. Two crew members were killed—a Danish pilot and a Greek fire‑service liaison—while a British pilot and a Greek co‑ordinator survived with minor injuries. Greek authorities grounded all Bell helicopters nationwide as investigations continue. The incident highlights the hazards faced by crews battling the continent’s increasingly frequent wildfires.
During a wildfire suppression mission near Athens, a collision between two Bell helicopters caused one aircraft to catch fire and crash into a ravine, killing a Danish pilot and a Greek fire‑service liaison officer.
A British pilot, hired privately for the season, and a second Greek coordinator survived the incident with only minor injuries and were immediately taken to hospital for observation.
The Greek Fire Service confirmed that both helicopters were leased from Australian company McDermott Aviation and had been fighting a large blaze on the Attica‑Boeotia border when the disaster occurred.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed deep sorrow over the loss, extending condolences to the families and noting the event’s impact on ongoing wildfire operations.
Following the crash, all Bell helicopters operating in Greece were grounded pending safety checks, while the surviving crews reported the incident and guided rescuers to the crash site.
Similar wildfires have affected Europe this summer, with France and Spain battling large blazes near Madrid and Bordeaux, and the continent’s ongoing heatwaves contributing to intensified fire risks.
