Two Firefighting Helicopters Collide Mid-Air While Battling Wildfires West of Athens; Two Crew Members Dead

Greece: Two leased Bell firefighting helicopters collided in mid-air on Sunday, August 2, 2026, while tackling a major wildfire in the Psatha area of western Attica, west of Athens, Greek authorities confirmed. The crash prompted an immediate search-and-rescue operation, with the crews of both aircraft later located.

According to Greece’s Fire Service, the two Bell-type helicopters, each carrying a two-person crew, had taken off from Elefsina military air base and were participating in aerial water-dropping operations against the blaze near Psatha (in the wider Megara area). The collision occurred during the firefighting effort, with video footage circulating online showing the aircraft making contact, one losing a rotor, and rapidly losing altitude before falling into the forested area.

Rescue teams, including firefighters, EMAK specialized units, police, and EKAV ambulance crews, were rapidly mobilized to the difficult-to-access crash sites amid ongoing fire conditions. One crew made contact with the operations center shortly after the incident and was found with relatively minor injuries. The second crew was located later; those two members were found unresponsive and were later confirmed dead. All four individuals were transported by ambulance to Athens’ 251 General Air Force Hospital.

Greek media reports identified the deceased as one Greek and one Romanian crew member. On both helicopters, the pilots were of Romanian origin while the coordinators were Greek. Sources connected to the leasing company indicated that early assessments pointed to human error rather than technical failure, though a formal investigation is expected.

The incident took place against the backdrop of intense wildfire activity across Greece, fueled by strong winds and high temperatures. Hundreds of firefighters, supported by aircraft and international assistance, have been battling multiple blazes, including a major fire near Porto Germeno and other fronts that have destroyed homes, forced evacuations, and scorched large areas of land. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has described the conditions as extremely difficult, noting that gale-force winds have at times restricted aerial operations.

The Fire Service continues to manage both the search-and-recovery aftermath and the broader firefighting response in the region. Further official updates on the investigation and the condition of the injured are anticipated.