Fatal helicopter crash on the island of Sifnos

A private helicopter crashed on the island of Sifnos, Greece, on August 17, 2026, around 18:17 local time. The aircraft, which had departed from Markopoulo, went down near the island’s helipad in the Tholos area while attempting to land, catching fire immediately upon impact. The crash occurred in close proximity to residential buildings.

The death toll remains subject to conflicting reports: while some sources report that three individuals were found unconscious and subsequently died, others state that six people—the pilot and five passengers—lost their lives in the accident. The aircraft reportedly belonged to the company Belavia. One report identified the victims as a Greek pilot and a British couple, although this information has not been reconciled with the higher casualty count reported elsewhere.

Local authorities, including the Fire Service, responded to the site with two firefighters and one vehicle. A rescue team from Syros was also dispatched via a RAFNAR speedboat to assist in the emergency response. An investigation into the exact circumstances of the crash is currently underway to determine the cause of the disaster.