Two Killed After Firefighting Helicopters Collide in Greece

By Aurax Radio | August 3, 2026 | 2 min read

Two firefighters were killed after two helicopters collided while battling a major wildfire northwest of Athens, as Greece continued to confront multiple blazes fueled by hot, dry and windy conditions. The accident came as southern Europe faced another summer of destructive wildfires linked to prolonged heat and drought.

Firefighters using hoses and equipment to defend homes from an approaching wildfire with heavy smoke in the background.

Ground crews continue wildfire suppression efforts as flames threaten communities in western Attica, Greece.

Two crew members were killed after two firefighting helicopters collided while conducting aerial operations over a wildfire in western Attica, Greece, authorities said Sunday. The crash occurred near Porto Germeno, northwest of Athens, where firefighters have been battling a fast-moving blaze that has destroyed more than 100 homes. The crew aboard the second helicopter survived, while emergency responders continued efforts to contain the fire amid strong winds that complicated aerial and ground operations.

The collision came as Greece fought several active wildfires across the country, including blazes on the island of Kefalonia and in other fire-prone regions. Thousands of firefighters, supported by aircraft and volunteers, have been deployed as authorities ordered evacuations in communities threatened by advancing flames. Greece experiences wildfires every summer, but officials say prolonged heatwaves, dry vegetation and stronger winds have made recent fire seasons increasingly difficult to manage and more dangerous for emergency crews.

The wildfire emergency is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather affecting southern Europe, where high temperatures and drought have fueled large fires in several countries. The same weather conditions have also strained critical infrastructure elsewhere on the continent, including in Hungary, where exceptionally low water levels in the Danube River forced the temporary shutdown of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant because insufficient cooling water was available. The developments highlight the wide-ranging effects of prolonged heat and drought on public safety, energy systems and emergency response across Europe.

Sources: Information from Reuters and BBC.

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