Two Firefighting Helicopters Collide Mid-Air While Battling Wildfire in Greece

Athens, Aug 2026 : Two firefighting helicopters collided in mid-air on Sunday while taking part in efforts to contain a massive wildfire in western Attica, according to Greece’s national broadcaster ERT.

The accident occurred near the coastal area of Psatha, where the helicopters were operating against the spreading blaze. Both aircraft crashed shortly after the collision, triggering a large-scale emergency response involving rescue teams and firefighting authorities.

According to ERT, the pilot of one of the helicopters was able to establish contact with the Fire Service’s operations centre following the crash. The pilot reported that the helicopter’s co-pilot had suffered injuries. Rescue teams were subsequently deployed to the area as authorities worked to locate and assist those involved.

There was no immediate information available regarding the condition or whereabouts of the crew members aboard the second helicopter, according to the report.

The mid-air collision comes as Greece continues to battle wildfires during a period of heightened fire risk, with firefighting aircraft playing a crucial role in containing blazes in difficult terrain and protecting populated areas.

Meanwhile, Spain is also confronting a severe wildfire situation, although authorities have made progress in containing some of the country’s most serious fires.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday announced the end of the national emergency declared over wildfires in the province of Avila and the Madrid region after fires in those areas were largely stabilised. However, several other blazes remained active as Spain faced another heatwave accompanied by strong winds.

Speaking from an emergency command centre in Navaluenga, Avila, Sanchez said the decision followed consultations with regional authorities and technical teams. Responsibility for managing the emergency will now return to regional governments under a lower Level 2 operational status.

The Burgohondo fire in Avila, which has burned more than 50,000 hectares, has been described as the largest wildfire ever recorded in Spain. Authorities have technically stabilised the blaze, allowing residents who had been evacuated to return to their homes.

Data from the European Forest Fire Information System indicates that nearly 130,000 hectares have been burned across Spain since the beginning of the year, highlighting the scale of the country’s wildfire crisis.

Thousands of firefighters, soldiers, police personnel and civil protection workers have been mobilised across affected regions. Spain’s Military Emergency Unit continues to play a key role in protecting communities and critical infrastructure while assisting regional firefighting teams battling the fires.

International assistance has also been mobilised. Spain activated the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, through which Greece and Italy each offered two Canadair firefighting aircraft, along with an additional support aircraft.

The simultaneous firefighting challenges in Greece and Spain underscore the growing pressure on emergency services as extreme heat, dry conditions and strong winds contribute to the rapid spread of wildfires across parts of southern Europe.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)