Key facts
- Two crew members died in a mid-air collision between two firefighting helicopters in Greece.
- The collision occurred while battling a major wildfire west of Athens.
- Hundreds of firefighters and aerial resources are engaged in combating the blaze.
- Over 1,000 people have been evacuated from the affected areas.
- Authorities suspect a faulty power line connected to a wind generator caused the wildfire.
- Two individuals have been arrested on felony arson charges in connection with the fire's origin.
Two crew members were killed when two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air while battling a major wildfire west of Athens, Greece. The incident occurred as hundreds of firefighters, supported by water-dropping planes and helicopters, worked to contain the blaze that started Friday and has forced over 1,000 people to evacuate. Authorities have warned that the broader Athens region of Attica remains at high risk for wildfires due to an anticipated increase in temperatures.
The collision highlights the extreme dangers faced by emergency crews during Europe's wildfire season. The deceased were identified as a Greek coordinator and a Danish pilot. The crew of the second helicopter, comprising a Greek and a British national, sustained minor injuries and were hospitalized.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his grief over the loss of the crew members. Fresh evacuations were ordered in the early hours of Monday as flames neared the capital, though easing winds have raised hopes that firefighters can halt the fire's advance. Crews are working to create firebreaks in a forest to aid containment efforts.
Investigations suggest the wildfire may have originated from sparks emitted by a faulty power line connected to a private wind generator facility. Consequently, an electrical engineer and a contractor have been arrested on felony arson charges, and an arrest warrant has been issued for the owner of the wind generator company.
Meanwhile, in France, the country's largest wildfire remained contained within its perimeter, though hotspots persisted. This blaze had previously forced the evacuation of 224,000 people, potentially marking the largest civilian evacuation outside of wartime. Fires in France and Spain have collectively displaced approximately 330,000 people during the peak European summer season, straining emergency services.