Two firefighting helicopters collided over a vast wildfire that has raged northwest of the Greek capital for several days, killing a Danish pilot and a Greek fire service liaison officer. The tragedy came with another fire at Athens. Greek officials said the mid-air collision happened on Sunday in mid-air near Psatha, west of Athens, as both helicopters were dumping water at the spreading blaze.
After the collision one crashed, the other managed an emergency landing.
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A British pilot and another Greek official from the second aircraft suffered minor injuries. The wildfire, which had raged for several days, has consumed houses and land as well as miles of pine forests and forced villagers in the region of Attica and Boeotia to flee.
More than 400 firefighters, aided by aircraft and heavy machinery are still combating the blaze as high winds fanning it make it increasingly hard to contain. An investigation into the air disaster is under way with initial reports indicating the two aircraft may have made contact.
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Greek authorities are meanwhile investigating whether faulty private power lines started the wildfire and arrested two men in connection.
Firefighters are also facing ever increasing danger, with such tragic outcomes highlighting the difficult and perilous situation Greece and parts of Southern Europe find themselves in with the increasing severity of wildfire seasons as a consequence of extreme heat, drought and high winds.
