Greek PM mourns two firefighters killed in helicopter collision while battling wildfire near Porto Germeno

The accident

Two leased firefighting helicopters collided on Sunday while battling a large wildfire near Porto Germeno, west of Athens. The crash killed a Greek coordinator and a Danish pilot. The exact time of the collision was not immediately disclosed, but the incident occurred during active firefighting operations in the Psatha area. Authorities have launched an investigation into the causes.

Prime Minister's response

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his grief in a Facebook post.

“I express my deepest sorrow for the tragic accident with the two leased firefighting helicopters that cost the lives of two frontline fighters in the war against the fires under very adverse weather conditions - especially for our aerial means. The loss of the Greek coordinator and the Danish pilot while they were operating at the large fire of Porto Germeno fills us all with grief. Sincere condolences to their families.”

He later visited the Civil Protection's Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management on Sunday afternoon to be briefed on the firefighting efforts across the country, with particular focus on the fronts in Attica-Viotia and the helicopter collision.

Presidential solidarity

President Konstantinos Tasoulas was also present at the Ministry of Civil Protection and Climate Crisis to express his support for the loss of the helicopter crew. He joined the briefing on the ongoing battle against multiple fire fronts nationwide and the planning for the night under the continuing adverse weather conditions.

Weather and fire conditions

The Prime Minister noted the very adverse weather conditions that made aerial firefighting particularly difficult. Wildfires have been burning in several parts of Greece, and the Psatha/Porto Germeno fire was described as a large blaze. The firefighting operations involved both ground and aerial units, with the leased helicopters playing a critical role.

Investigation

The competent authorities are investigating the exact causes of the collision. No further details on the circumstances have been released.