Greek Wildfire Helicopter Collision
Two Firefighting Helicopters Collide West of Athens Amid Massive Wildfires, Crew Member Missing
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Key Points
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The two Bell firefighting helicopters were leased by Greece's Fire Department and had taken off from the Elefsina military airport to operate in the Psatha area west of Athens.
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Rescue updates indicated at least one crew member was recovered and rescuers re-established contact with the rescued aviators, who reported their condition and location to authorities.
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Around Porto Germeno, authorities reported about 500 firefighters were actively battling the blazes, illustrating the scale of the effort in what has been one of Greece’s largest wildfires this season.
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A separate fire broke out on the Ionian island of Cephalonia, where a 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of deliberately starting the blaze.
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Meteorological updates from meteo.gr estimated that more than 6,500 hectares had burned across fires on the Gulf of Corinth, including the Porto Germeno area.
Two Bell firefighting helicopters collided mid-air west of Athens on Thursday as Greek crews battled one of the country's largest wildfires this season. The crash happened near Psatha in Attica, according to AJC, while pilots were working to contain a fast-moving blaze driven by winds reaching 100 km/h.
One crew member was rescued after the collision. The second helicopter's crew remained missing, with search and rescue teams still active in the area, according to Liverpool Echo. Authorities said the rescued aviators made contact with rescuers and reported their condition and location.
Helicopters Took Off From Elefsina Before Deadly Collision
Both aircraft were Bell helicopters leased by Greece's Fire Department. They had taken off from Elefsina military airport to support operations in the Psatha region, according to Manchester Evening News. The Psatha area sits on the Gulf of Corinth, west of Athens, where fires had already burned through thousands of hectares.
The collision happened during an active aerial firefighting mission. Extreme conditions — scorching heat, dry vegetation, and powerful northerly winds — made flying dangerous and accelerated the fire's spread. These same winds that fueled the blaze also complicated the search for the missing crew.
500 Firefighters Deployed as Fires Burn 6,500 Hectares
Nearly 500 firefighters were actively battling the blazes around Porto Germeno alone, according to Manchester Evening News. The scale of the effort reflects how severe the situation has become. Greece's meteorological service meteo.gr estimated that more than 6,500 hectares had burned across fires on the Gulf of Corinth, including the Porto Germeno area.
More than 100 homes and numerous buildings were destroyed across the region. Authorities ordered evacuations around Megara and Porto Germeno as the fires moved quickly. Containment efforts involved aircraft, ground crews, and coordinated evacuation logistics across multiple fronts.
Arson Suspect Arrested as Cephalonia Fire Breaks Out
Greece's wildfire crisis extended beyond the Athens region on Thursday. A separate fire broke out on the Ionian island of Cephalonia, where authorities arrested a 44-year-old man on suspicion of deliberately starting the blaze, according to AJC. The arrest highlighted concerns about human-caused ignitions during extreme fire weather.
Greece has faced multiple wildfires this week across different parts of the country. Authorities have been coordinating a broad national response. The Psatha-Porto Germeno complex remains the most serious, but crews are stretched thin managing simultaneous blazes in hot, dry conditions.
Winds and Heat Push Greece's Fire Season to a Crisis Point
Northerly winds gusting up to 100 km/h have been a defining factor in this week's fires. The gusts spread flames faster than crews could contain them and made safe aerial operations extremely difficult. It is those same conditions that likely contributed to Thursday's mid-air collision, according to Head Topics.
Greece regularly faces devastating fire seasons, but this week's blazes rank among the worst of the current season. Thousands of hectares lost, more than 100 homes destroyed, and now two helicopter crews — one rescued, one still missing — underscore the human cost of fighting fires under these extreme conditions.
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