Two firefighting helicopters collided while battling a major wildfire near Athens, triggering a rescue operation for their crews.
ATHENS: A dangerous firefighting mission took a dramatic turn after two helicopters collided while battling a massive wildfire west of Athens.
The aircraft were helping crews tackle a fast-moving blaze in the Psatha area, around 60 kilometres from central Athens, when the mid-air collision happened.
Greek fire authorities confirmed that an emergency rescue operation was launched immediately to locate the crews of both helicopters. Officials have not yet released details about the condition of those on board.
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The accident comes as Greece continues to battle one of its toughest wildfire periods this summer.
For the past week, firefighters have been working around the clock to contain multiple blazes across the country, with strong winds and dry weather making conditions even more difficult.
So far, more than 12,000 hectares of forests and farmland have been destroyed, leaving behind scorched landscapes and causing major damage to rural communities.
Firefighting helicopters play a crucial role during these emergencies. They carry thousands of litres of water, making repeated trips between nearby water sources and active fire zones to help ground crews slow the spread of flames.
These missions are often carried out in extremely challenging conditions, with heavy smoke, poor visibility, strong winds and difficult terrain increasing the risks for pilots.
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The collision has highlighted just how dangerous aerial firefighting operations can become, especially during large-scale wildfires where several aircraft may be working in the same airspace.
Emergency teams remain focused on both the rescue operation and efforts to bring the wildfire under control.
Authorities have not yet confirmed what caused the collision, and an investigation is expected once rescue operations are complete.
As Greece continues its fight against the fires, officials are urging residents in affected areas to stay alert, follow evacuation instructions and monitor official updates as conditions can change rapidly.
