In brief
A catastrophic mid‑air collision between two Bell helicopters during wildfire operations on the Attica‑Boeotia border left a Danish pilot and a Greek fire‑service liaison dead. A British pilot and a Greek co‑ordinator escaped the second aircraft with minor injuries. The Greek Civil Protection ministry has grounded all Bell helicopters and continued investigations while the Greek Prime Minister expressed sorrow for the lost lives.
In a tragic incident on 2 August 2026, two Bell‑type firefighting helicopters collided over the mountains 65 kilometres west of Athens while battling a large wildfire on the Attica‑Boeotia border.
The crash killed a Danish pilot and a Greek fire‑service liaison officer aboard the first aircraft. The second helicopter suffered a catastrophic impact but was able to conduct an emergency landing.
A British private pilot who had been hired for the season, and a Greek co‑ordinator, survived the collision with minor injuries and were later treated at a local hospital. Both were conscious on arrival and are under observation.
The Greek Civil Protection ministry immediately grounded all Bell helicopters across the country pending an investigation. Police and fire‑fighting teams arrived at the crash site, beginning forensic work and rescue efforts.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis issued a statement via X expressing deep sorrow for the death of the Greek coordinator and Danish pilot, calling the incident "a grievous loss for all of us".
Wildfires have plagued Greece this week, forcing mass evacuations. Other European nations such as Spain, France and Italy have also struggled with severe blazes amid prolonged heatwaves.
Experts note that high temperatures and prolonged dry spells have increased vegetation fuel, making wildfires more common and severe. The incident underscores the risks that firefighters and emergency crews face during intense firefighting operations in challenging environments.
