Each helicopter was carrying two people when the aircraft collided while operating over the wider Psatha area in the Attica region, where crews have been working to contain fast-moving wildfires
By Moses Okorie
Two crew members have died after two firefighting helicopters collided while battling wildfires west of Athens earlier today.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed the fatalities in a post on social media, identifying the victims as a Greek flight coordinator and a Danish pilot. He expressed his “deepest sorrow” over the tragedy and extended his condolences to their families and colleagues.
Two other crew members involved in the collision survived the crash. Authorities identified them as a British pilot and a Greek Fire Service liaison officer.
According to the Greek Fire Service, each helicopter was carrying two people when the aircraft collided while operating over the wider Psatha area in the Attica region, where crews have been working to contain fast-moving wildfires.
Greece has endured a devastating wildfire season this summer. Earlier, Greek meteorologist Theodore Giannaros told the BBC that more than 100,000 hectares of land have already been scorched by fires across the country, underscoring the scale of the ongoing crisis.