Two firefighting helicopters collided while battling a wildfire in the Psatha area west of Greece's capital, Athens, on Sunday, with the fire department saying that a rescue operation has been launched to locate the crew.
A firefighting helicopter drops water over a smoke-filled forest during a wildfire near Porto Germeno, northwest of Athens, Greece, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Varaklas)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
"Search and rescue teams were immediately mobilised to locate and assist the crews," the fire service said.
State broadcaster ERT reported that one crewmember had been found safe, while rescuers were searching for the second.
Television footage showed one of the helicopters exploding and plunging to the ground in flames after an apparent rotor collision.
The incident comes as Greece faced multiple fronts and a growing toll of damage, with wildfires believed to have devastated swathes of forest and agricultural land, and the prime minister warned of "extremely difficult" days ahead.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greece was experiencing "extreme weather conditions" with winds reaching 100 kilometres (60 miles) an hour.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greece was experiencing "extreme weather conditions" with winds reaching 100 kilometres (60 miles) an hour.
{{/usCountry}}
"When the winds blow with such force, even the dozens of aircraft we have at our disposal cannot operate safely," he wrote on Facebook.
"There are moments when nature and the intensity of weather phenomena surpass any human planning and any operational capability," he added.
The Greece wildfires
Nearly 500 firefighters were battling blazes around the popular coastal village of Porto Germeno, some 70 kilometres northwest of Athens, the fire department said.
They were attempting to keep the fire from approaching the western outskirts of Athens after it scaled a mountain overnight.
Some 100 firefighters were fighting another blaze in Aigialia in the northern Peloponnese.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
The National Observatory's climate tracker, meteo.gr, said early estimates indicated that over 6,500 hectares (16,000 acres) had been burned in separate fires on the Gulf of Corinth, which also swept Porto Germeno.
It added that meteorological conditions remained adverse "mainly due to strong northerly winds, which, however, have partially weakened compared to previous days"
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.
Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.
Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.
Home/World News/Two firefighting helicopters collide while battling Greece wildfire
{{^htLoading}}
Advertisement
{{/htLoading}}
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
{{#usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
Hindustantimes wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe
