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Helicopter crash halts wildfire response west of Athens
The crash occurred as gale-force winds spread fires through dry forest, after nearly 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft were deployed.
Two helicopters collided and crashed while fighting a wildfire west of Athens, the Greek broadcaster ERT reported Sunday, according to SCMP Economy.
SCMP Economy reported that one pilot made radio contact with fire brigade headquarters, but the fate of the second helicopter’s crew remained unclear. Each helicopter was carrying a two-person crew, and a large-scale search and rescue operation was launched near the village of Psatha.
SCMP Economy added that about 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft had earlier been deployed, but gale-force winds drove flames through dry forest and disrupted the response, including preventing some aircraft from reaching the sea to collect water.
The report noted the danger carried particular resonance in the area, where the 2018 Mati wildfire killed 104 people, Europe’s deadliest blaze this century, as rescue efforts continued.