Two helicopters involved in combating wildfires in Greece collided in mid-air on Tuesday, resulting in injuries to four crew members. The incident occurred approximately 65 kilometers (42 miles) west of the capital, Athens, in the Psatha area.
Video footage of the collision shows one helicopter striking the propellers of the other, causing it to erupt in flames. Both aircraft subsequently fell into a ravine. According to Greek media reports, two of the four crew members were found unconscious, while the others sustained minor injuries. The injured crew members, identified as two Greeks and two Romanians, have been transported to the 251st Air Force General Hospital.
The collision happened amid intense efforts to control several wildfires that have broken out across Greece this week. Strong winds have significantly hampered firefighting operations, forcing evacuations in affected areas. The Fire Department confirmed the incident took place "during a forest firefighting operation."
Greece has been contending with significant blazes across various regions, including Porto Germeno, Psatha, Fokida, Megara, and Kefalonia. Over the past 72 hours, more than 500 firefighters have been engaged in a difficult struggle to contain these fires.
Wildfires have also affected other parts of Europe following a series of heatwaves that have created dry conditions. Earlier this week, France and Spain battled large fires near Madrid and Bordeaux, respectively, which have since been contained but continue to burn. In those instances, approximately 300,000 people who had been evacuated have begun returning to their homes.
Experts note that while most wildfires are human-induced, climate change is exacerbating the conditions that allow them to spread more easily. A mild and wet winter led to increased vegetation growth, which has subsequently dried out during successive hot spells, creating ample fuel for fires.