A dust‑laden sky above Greece’s wilderness turned catastrophic when two firefighting helicopters collided over a wildfire 65 kilometres (42 miles) west of Athens. One aircraft slammed into the other’s propellers, causing a violent explosion and sending both planes into a nearby ravine.
Video footage shows the moment of impact, followed by a plume of smoke and flames rising from the wreckage. By the time rescue crews arrived, one crew member was found unconscious and two others suffered light injuries; the four men were transferred to the 251st Air Force General Hospital.
The clash unfolded during a forest‑fire suppression operation in the Psatha area, part of a sprawling blaze that has already forced the evacuation of thousands in regions such as Porto Germeno, Psatha, Fokida, Megara and Kefalonia.
Greek authorities cite high winds and dry vegetation—products of a recent mild winter followed by successive heat waves—as key factors accelerating the fire spread. Climate‑change specialists warn that such conditions are becoming increasingly common across Europe.
Around Europe, France and Spain ended the week with large fires nearing Madrid and Bordeaux, which, though now contained, are still burning. The twin incidents underscore the growing demand for aerial firefighting resources amid escalating wildfire threats.
