Two crew members died on Sunday when two firefighting helicopters collided in mid-air during a wildfire response west of Athens. A search-and-rescue operation for the crews was launched immediately and was still in progress when the fire brigade issued its statement.
The impact took place near Psatha, on the western edge of the Greek capital. The flames had reached that area from Agios Vasileios, a village about 80 km northwest of Athens, destroying farmland and forest as they moved. Social media footage shows one of the helicopters plunging to the ground right after the collision.
The fire service said the two people aboard that helicopter were killed. The crew of the other machine were safe, though their medical condition was not disclosed.
Victims and international crews
The Associated Press, quoting the fire brigade, reported that the fatalities were nationals of Greece and Denmark. The survivors were nationals of Greece and Britain. Foreign crews frequently assist in fighting Greek forest fires during the summer season, when blazes are a recurring challenge.
– During the firefighting operation in the Psatha area, two helicopters involved in the operation collided. Forces were immediately mobilised for a search-and-rescue operation for the crews, which is currently under way – the fire service said.
Greece under pressure from wildfires
Wildfires have broken out in several Greek regions, and the most severe situation is near Athens. More than 100 homes northwest of the capital have already been destroyed. From Saturday to Sunday night, several towns on the tourist island of Kefalonia were evacuated.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Saturday that the situation was very difficult and that the scale of the disaster exceeded the operational capacity of Greek services. He warned that in the coming days extreme heat would be accompanied by very strong winds, which could cause fires to spread rapidly. Strong wind was keeping firefighting planes from reaching hotspots and even from scooping water from the rough sea.
On Wednesday, authorities confirmed the deaths of three more firefighters. Two were trapped by fire in their vehicle near Rethymno on the island of Crete, and the third died while fighting a blaze in the southern Peloponnese.
– In recent years, we have invested more than ever before in strengthening civil protection… There are, however, moments when nature and the force of weather conditions surpass all human plans and operational capabilities – said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Source: Polsatnews, Photo: Polsatnews
