Two firefighting helicopter pilots killed in collision over Greek wildfire; blaze consumes 12,000 hectares
A mid-air collision between two water-bombing helicopters on Sunday killed both crew members of one aircraft, as Greece battles a mega-fire that has already burned more than 12,000 hectares and forced evacuations west of Athens.
Helicopter collision kills two crew members
Two Bell helicopters fighting a wildfire collided on Sunday 2 August near the coastal village of Psatha, west of Athens. Video broadcast by Greek media shows one aircraft striking the other from behind; the hit helicopter immediately caught fire and plunged to the ground. The pilot – a Dane – and the Greek co-pilot died, while the Greek and British crew of the second helicopter were rescued with light injuries.
The two crew members were transported unconscious to the hospital where their death was confirmed.
All other Bell helicopters operating in the area have been grounded pending an investigation. The helicopters were leased from Australian company McDermott Aviation, which has supported Greek firefighting operations for seven years.
A mega-fire threatens Athens
The blaze, described by local media as the first mega-fire of the season, broke out on Friday 31 July in mountainous Boeotia, northwest of Athens, and has been advancing toward the capital. By Sunday it had consumed more than 5,000 hectares, according to firefighters on the scene, while nationwide at least 12,000 hectares of forest and farmland have burned this week.
Winds gusting up to 130 km/h and frequently reaching 100 km/h have created what Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called "extremely difficult" conditions. On Saturday, the winds were so strong that dozens of water-bombing aircraft were grounded for hours, and at times firefighters could not open their vehicle doors.
There are moments when nature and the intensity of weather phenomena surpass any human planning and operational capacity.
- Fire ignites in mountainous Boeotia, northwest of Athens.
- Gale-force winds ground dozens of water-bombers; Porto Germeno evacuated.
- Two Bell helicopters collide near Psatha, killing both crew members. Over 5,000 ha burned.
- Level 4/5 fire risk declared for Attica and Boeotia; main blaze remains within 70 km of Athens.
Evacuations and destruction
Hundreds of residents and holidaymakers have been forced to flee. The seaside resort of Porto Germeno, on the Gulf of Corinth, was emptied house by house as police knocked on doors. Dozens of homes have been destroyed or damaged. A volunteer firefighter told French media that "Friday, it was hell in the space of just 20 minutes."
On the island of Cephalonia, another fire broke out overnight Saturday to Sunday, and tourists described watching water-dropping planes refill just off the beach every ten minutes while they packed their belongings in case of evacuation.
Risk remains very high
Civil protection authorities have set the fire risk for Monday 3 August at level 4 out of 5 for Attica – the region that includes Athens – and neighbouring Boeotia. Almost the entire country spent the weekend on general alert.
This week's fires have now claimed five lives: three firefighters died earlier in Crete and the Peloponnese, and Sunday's crash brings the toll to five. Public frustration is growing.
The population is angry, because the country is supposed to be prepared.
With the main blaze still roughly 70 km from the capital and winds expected to persist, authorities warn that the situation could worsen before it improves.
