Two crew members died on Sunday after firefighting helicopters collided in midair while battling a wind-driven wildfire west of Athens, officials confirmed.
A Danish and a Greek national perished in the incident. A British pilot and another Greek crew member from a second aircraft survived the crash, according to reports.
The collision occurred as the aircraft were engaged in efforts to control a massive blaze that has been pushing towards settlements on the western fringes of the Greek capital.
One Danish and one Greek national died in the incident, while a British pilot and another Greek crew member survived.
Footage circulated online reportedly showed one of the helicopters losing control amid gale-force winds, which have severely hampered firefighting operations.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned the country faced "extremely difficult" days ahead, with one expert describing the ongoing blaze as a "megafire."
Wildfires Rage Across Attica Region
The incident adds a tragic dimension to Greece's ongoing struggle against widespread wildfires. The blaze west of Athens has been particularly challenging, driven by strong winds and high temperatures.
Fire department officials indicated that the gale-force winds significantly complicated aerial manoeuvres, contributing to the fatal collision.
The country, like much of southern Europe, has been grappling with a severe wildfire season, with emergency services stretched thin across multiple fronts.
The loss of the two crew members and at least one helicopter is expected to impact the aerial firefighting capacity as authorities continue to battle the extensive wildfires.
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