Two firefighting helicopters collided in midair and crashed on Sunday afternoon while fighting a large wildfire in the Psatha area of western Attica, killing two crew members and injuring two others.
The Greek Fire Service said the two Bell-type helicopters were taking part in aerial firefighting operations when they collided. Search and rescue teams were immediately deployed for the crews, the service said, adding that the operation was ongoing.
According to reports, the crews were located in a ravine. Crew members from one of the helicopters were found unconscious at the fire front. The pilot of the other helicopter managed to contact the Fire Service operations center and reported that his co-pilot had been injured. EKAB rescue workers recovered the crews.
The injured pilots were taken to 251 General Military Hospital in Athens.
Witnesses in the area described hearing a loud noise shortly before the two helicopters went down. Both aircraft had taken off from the military airfield at Elefsina.
Video footage captured the moment of the collision while the helicopters were operating over the Psatha area.
