In brief
A mid‑air collision between two Bell firefighting helicopters near Athens killed a Danish pilot and a Greek fire‑service liaison officer, while a British pilot and Greek coordinator survived with minor injuries. The incident came amid an escalating wildfire crisis that has forced mass evacuations across the country. Greek authorities grounded all Bell helicopters following the crash and launched a formal investigation. Climate‑driven heat waves continue to spark devastating fires across Europe, underscoring the urgent need for robust emergency response systems.
Two crew members have been killed after two helicopters collided mid‑air in Greece while battling wildfires.
The fatalities were a Danish pilot and a Greek fire‑service liaison officer; a British pilot and another Greek coordinator on the second helicopter survived with minor injuries.
A video captured the incident approximately 65 km (42 miles) west of Athens, showing one Bell helicopter striking the rotor of the other. The impacted aircraft burst into flames and crashed into a ravine while the other made an emergency landing in a low‑vegetation zone.
Wildfires sparked across Greece earlier this week have prompted mass evacuations. Other European states have also battled devastating blazes during prolonged heatwaves.
According to the Greek Fire Service, the two Bell helicopters leased from Australian company McDermott Aviation collided during efforts to tackle a large wildfire on the Attica‑Boeotia border.
Survivors were rescued alive; the second crew were found unconscious and were later pronounced dead.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his “deepest sorrow” over the accident, condemning the loss as a national tragedy and extending condolences to the families.
The Civil Protection ministry has grounded all Bell helicopters in Greece, and a source confirmed the British pilot was a private hire, not part of a formal UK‑Greece exchange.
McDermott Aviation’s founder, John McDermott, said the company’s staff extend deepest condolences and will assist the investigation.
While Bell aircraft are grounded, Erickson Air‑Crane, Chinook helicopters and Canadair water‑bombing planes continue firefighting operations.
Earlier this week, France and Spain contained major fires near Madrid and Bordeaux, with thousands of evacuees returning home as containment improved.
In Greece, the wildfires have been described as a “titanic battle”, affecting areas such as Porto Germeno, Psatha, Fokida, Megara and Kefalonia, with over 500 firefighters engaged.
Although many fires are sparked by human activity, climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of such blazes. Winter weather last year allowed vegetation to grow, only to drier in successive hot spells, creating ample fuel for fires.
