Helicopters collide in Greece as fires spread
Two hired Bell helicopters collided while battling a wildfire in the Psatha area west of Athens, with one crew member rescued and a search under way for the other.
Two fire helicopters collided in Greece on Sunday while battling multiple wildfires that have devastated large areas of land. The crash occurred in the Psatha area west of Athens, where the hired Bell helicopters were working to contain a fire. One crewmember was found safe, and rescuers were searching for the second. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of "extremely difficult" days ahead due to "extreme weather conditions" with winds reaching 100 kilometers per hour.
Nearly 500 firefighters were battling blazes around the coastal village of Porto Germeno, 70 kilometers northwest of Athens, as they attempted to keep the fire from approaching the western outskirts of Athens. The fire had already damaged or destroyed scores of homes in the village. Meanwhile, a 44-year-old man was arrested in Cephalonia on suspicion of deliberately starting a new fire on the popular holiday island.
The wildfire there quickly spread, affecting over 6,500 hectares and prompting the arrest of the suspect.
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Also reported by 6 other outlets
- Greece: fire brigade helicopters collide as wildfires spread dw.com
- Two crew killed as firefighting helicopters collide in midair in Greece en.mercopress.com
- Two dead after firefighting helicopters crash in Greece rte.ie
- Two crew killed as British pilot survives after firefighting helicopters collide in Greece myjoyonline.com
- Two crew killed after firefighting helicopters collide in Greece, as British pilot survives bbc.co.uk
- Watch: Firefighting helicopters collide mid-air as Greece battles massive wildfire timesofindia.indiatimes.com
