Two killed after firefighting Bell helicopters collide during Greek wildfire response

Two crew members were killed and two others survived after two Bell firefighting helicopters collided while battling a wildfire west of Athens today (2 August), as Greece continued to confront multiple major blazes driven by strong winds. 

According to Greek authorities, the two leased helicopters were operating over the Psatha area in Attica when they collided during aerial firefighting operations. Each aircraft carried a crew of two after departing Elefsina Air Base to support suppression efforts. 

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed that those killed were a Danish pilot and a Greek Fire Service liaison officer. A British pilot and a second Greek liaison officer survived the crash and were taken to the 251 Air Force General Hospital in Athens for treatment. 

In a statement, Mitsotakis expressed his “deepest sorrow” over what he described as a tragic accident, offering condolences to the families of the victims while paying tribute to all personnel involved in the country’s wildfire response. 

The collision occurred as firefighters continued to battle multiple wildfires across Greece, where authorities have warned that strong Meltemi winds are creating exceptionally hazardous operating conditions.  

Gusts of up to 100 km/h have accelerated fire spread, carried embers ahead of the main fire fronts, and at times prevented firefighting aircraft from operating safely because of severe turbulence. 

The accident comes during one of Europe’s most demanding wildfire seasons, with Greece, Spain, and France all deploying extensive aerial firefighting resources in recent weeks. Earlier this week, thousands of residents and tourists were evacuated from parts of Greece as fires affected Crete, Paros, Andros, Kalymnos, and mainland regions. 

For aerial firefighting operators, the incident underscores the inherent risks of low-level flight in smoke, turbulence, and rapidly changing fire behaviour. Aircraft crews routinely operate in reduced visibility and complex terrain while coordinating closely with other aerial assets and ground firefighters, often under intense time pressure. 

AirMed&Rescue has closely followed this year’s European wildfire response, including the deployment of international aerial assets to France, Greece’s firefighting operations on Crete, and the expanding use of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft under the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism.