Two helicopters collide as Greece battles wildfires, Hungary shuts nuclear plant
Two firefighting helicopters collided in Greece while helping to control a huge wildfire on Sunday that has destroyed more than 100 homes northwest of Athens, while a fresh blaze forced evacuations on the popular tourist island of Kefalonia.
Two firefighting helicopters collided while battling an extensive wildfire in Greece on Sunday, destroying over 100 homes northwest of Athens. A separate blaze compelled evacuations on the tourist island of Kefalonia. Europe has experienced numerous wildfires this summer due to record-breaking heatwaves and minimal rainfall, conditions scientists attribute to climate change.
Two helicopters crashed during the firefighting operation in the Attica region, west of Athens, with the crew of the first helicopter rescued and the second crew currently being searched for. Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis acknowledged the overwhelming power of nature in his Sunday message. Emergency alerts were issued for evacuations in several western Attica settlements, including an industrial estate near Megara.
On the Ionian island of Kefalonia, over 10,000 hectares of land were likely destroyed by a fire in the Pastra area, forcing the evacuation of numerous settlements. In contrast, wildfires in France and Spain appeared to be under control, with only minor flare-ups in specific areas.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
