Two firefighters were killed after two firefighting helicopters collided while battling a massive wildfire in Greece on Sunday, as destructive blazes continued to scorch parts of southern Europe amid extreme heat, strong winds and prolonged drought.
The victims, identified by Greek authorities as a Greek national and a Danish national, were aboard one of the helicopters that crashed in the Psatha area of the Attica region. The second helicopter’s crew, comprising a Greek and a British national, survived the collision, according to Greece’s fire service.
The fatal accident occurred as emergency crews battled a major wildfire that has destroyed more than 100 homes northwest of Athens. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the mid-air collision.
Wildfires Intensify Across Greece
Greece has witnessed several major wildfires in recent days following a brief period of calmer weather. Emergency services have been deployed across multiple regions as soaring temperatures, dry vegetation and strong winds continue to fuel rapidly spreading fires.
Video circulating on social media appeared to show the two helicopters crossing paths at low altitude before one aircraft’s rotor struck the other. Reuters said it had not independently verified the authenticity of the footage.
Investigators are also examining the origin of the wildfire that began in the Boeotia region before spreading into Attica. According to local media reports, preliminary findings suggest sparks from conductors on a private electricity transmission network connected to wind turbines may have ignited the blaze.
Two Greek nationals have reportedly been arrested on suspicion of negligence, while authorities continue searching for another suspect linked to the investigation.
Residents Battle Flames as Evacuations Continue
Although gale-force winds weakened around Porto Germeno, the wildfire crossed mountainous terrain, reached the settlement of Veniza and spread into a military firing range, where unexploded ordnance complicated firefighting operations.
Emergency crews focused on preventing the blaze from advancing toward the coastal town of Megara, home to around 30,000 residents. Authorities also issued evacuation alerts for several communities across western Attica, including an industrial area near Megara.
In the village of Agios Konstantinos, residents joined firefighters in efforts to contain the flames by using water hoses and other equipment to protect homes and surrounding vegetation.
“There are moments when the force of nature and the intensity of weather conditions exceed all human planning and every operational capability,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in his weekly address.
On the Ionian island of Kefalonia, several settlements were evacuated overnight after another wildfire broke out in the Pastra area, prompting emergency response teams to move residents to safer locations.
France and Spain Continue to Battle Major Wildfires
Elsewhere in Europe, firefighters remained on high alert as wildfires continued to threaten communities in France and Spain, although conditions showed signs of improving in some affected regions.
In France, a major wildfire in the Var region changed direction after shifting winds pushed flames into densely forested terrain that was difficult for emergency crews to access. Firefighters continued aerial and ground operations to prevent the blaze from spreading to nearby residential areas.
A separate wildfire also broke out near the historic southern city of Carcassonne after a vehicle reportedly caught fire alongside a highway. Authorities closed the affected motorway and evacuated a nearby animal park as thick smoke and flames spread through surrounding vegetation.
Residents who had earlier fled their homes cautiously returned to assess the damage while firefighters continued to extinguish hotspots to prevent fresh flare-ups.
“With the combined efforts of the Canadair aircraft and firefighters, I think all the houses were saved,” resident Georges Blanc told Reuters after returning to his property.
In neighbouring Spain, firefighters brought several major wildfires largely under control after days of intense operations. However, emergency crews continued monitoring isolated reignitions, particularly in central regions where dry weather persisted.
In the western province of Caceres, around 800 residents who had been evacuated following a forest fire were allowed to return home on Sunday, although authorities instructed them to remain indoors as firefighting operations continued nearby.
Drought Disrupts Energy and Water Supplies Across Europe
Beyond the wildfires, prolonged drought has created additional challenges across Europe as water levels in major rivers continue to fall to historic lows.
Hungary’s Danube River reached its lowest recorded level, forcing the country’s only nuclear power plant to suspend operations for the first time in more than four decades because of insufficient cooling water. Prime Minister Peter Magyar described the coming days as critical as another heatwave approaches.
Low water levels have also disrupted river transport and tourism while prompting water-use restrictions in more than 100 towns and villages across Hungary.
In neighbouring Serbia, authorities reported that the Danube had fallen to its lowest level since 1985, reducing electricity generation at the country’s largest hydropower plant to around 20% of its normal daily output.
Climate Conditions Continue to Fuel Extreme Fire Risk
Much of southern Europe has experienced record-breaking heatwaves and below-average rainfall this summer, creating conditions that have intensified wildfire activity across several countries. Emergency services remain on alert as high temperatures, dry vegetation and strong winds continue to increase the risk of fresh outbreaks in the coming days.
