Two firefighting helicopters collide in mid-air over Psatha wildfire

On Sunday, August 2, 2026, two leased Bell firefighting helicopters collided in mid-air while operating over a major wildfire in the Psatha region of western Attica, Greece. The collision occurred during intense aerial suppression efforts, resulting in the crash of both aircraft. Emergency teams from the National Centre for Emergency Care (EKAB) immediately launched a search and rescue operation.

Two crew members, a Danish pilot and a Greek flight coordinator, lost their lives in the accident. The other two occupants, a British pilot and a Greek flight coordinator, survived the crash and were transported to the 251 General Air Force Hospital in Athens for medical treatment. Following the tragedy, authorities grounded all similar helicopters currently operating in Greece as a standard safety protocol. While initial investigations point toward potential human error or a failure to maintain safe separation during the mission, the exact cause of the collision remains under investigation by technical experts and relevant aviation authorities.