A Greek and a Danish national have died in a mid-air collision between two firefighting helicopters operating over Greece, according to reports from local authorities. The incident occurred on Sunday near the village of Psatha, west of Athens, during efforts to combat a wind-driven wildfire. The two helicopters, both leased from Australian aviation company McDermott Aviation, collided, resulting in the deaths of two crew members. The other two individuals aboard the second helicopter were found alive and are receiving medical attention. McDermott Aviation, based in Australia, confirmed the tragic outcome and expressed deep sorrow over the incident. The company’s founder and president, John McDermott, stated that the two crew members aboard one of the helicopters had lost their lives, while the two from the second helicopter are under medical care. The company has pledged to cooperate fully with investigators examining the cause of the crash. McDermott Aviation has operated in Greece for several years and is also active in other parts of the world, including New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the United States, where wildfires are currently affecting multiple western states. The collision highlights the dangers faced by aerial firefighting crews, especially in conditions marked by extreme heat and powerful winds. Emergency responders in the region, including firefighters and rescue teams, have been working tirelessly to contain the blaze and assist residents in affected areas. Evacuation orders were issued for several mountainous regions, including Kandili, Agia Skepi and Toutouli, due to the rapid spread of flames. Crews were particularly concerned about the seaside community of Porto Germeno, located on the Gulf of Corinth, where smoke and fire posed significant threats. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his sorrow over the incident, calling the loss of life “grief” and extending his condolences to the families of the deceased. He noted that the victims were attempting to tackle a major fire in Porto Gremeno, emphasizing the bravery of those involved in the firefighting effort. Mitsotakis was briefed on the situation and has been monitoring developments closely. The wildfires raging across Greece are part of a broader pattern of intense fire activity across Europe this summer. Nearly 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft have been deployed to battle the blazes, which have been fueled by record-breaking temperatures and gale-force winds. These conditions have made it extremely challenging for firefighting crews, with some aircraft unable to reach bodies of water to collect water for suppression efforts. Authorities have warned that the situation could worsen, given the tinder-dry conditions prevailing in many parts of the country. In addition to the current crisis, Greece has experienced several other fatalities related to wildfires in recent weeks. Last week, two firefighters died in Crete, and another was killed in the southern Peloponnese region. This brings the total number of firefighter deaths in Greece this year to at least five. The ongoing challenges have prompted concerns among local volunteers and emergency personnel, who have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of these fires. Greece’s experience mirrors similar crises elsewhere in Europe, where wildfires have displaced hundreds of thousands of people and strained emergency resources. France, for example, has faced its largest civilian peacetime evacuation in history, with over 224,000 people forced to leave their homes due to wildfires. Spain has also seen significant damage, with fires driving large numbers of residents from their homes. Scientists attribute these extreme fire conditions to human-induced climate change, which has increased the likelihood of such events occurring.
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