Two firefighting helicopters collided on Sunday while battling a large wildfire northwest of Athens, killing two people, Greek authorities said. The crash occurred near the town of Varnavas, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the capital, during efforts to contain a blaze that has destroyed more than 100 homes.
The two helicopters, a Canadian-built CL-215 and a smaller helicopter, were dropping water on the fire when they clipped each other and crashed. The bodies of the two pilots were recovered from the wreckage, according to the fire department. No other casualties were reported.
The wildfire in the Varnavas area has forced evacuations of several settlements and has been burning for days, fanned by strong winds and high temperatures. Firefighters, backed by water-dropping aircraft, have been working to contain the flames, but the fire has already scorched thousands of hectares of forest and farmland.
Separately, on the island of Kefalonia, another wildfire prompted evacuations as residents and tourists fled the flames. Greek authorities have been on high alert as the country faces a heightened risk of wildfires due to a prolonged heatwave and dry conditions.
The collision is a rare but tragic incident in Greece's firefighting efforts, which have relied heavily on aerial resources. The government has expressed condolences to the families of the victims and has ordered an investigation into the crash.
