Two firefighting helicopters collide near Athens amid widespread Greek wildfires

Greece faced an escalating fire emergency on Sunday as wildfires raged across several regions, consuming extensive areas of forest and agricultural land. Strong winds intensified the blazes and impeded the operation of firefighting aircraft, officials said, complicating containment efforts on multiple fronts. The situation was further aggravated by a mid‑air collision involving two firefighting helicopters west of Athens, prompting an immediate search and rescue mission to locate the missing crew members and assess any casualties.

Authorities continued to deploy ground crews and aerial support despite the adverse weather, while emergency services coordinated the rescue operation and monitored the spread of the fires. The combined challenges of the wind‑driven flames and the helicopter accident underscored the severity of the crisis, prompting calls for heightened vigilance and resources as the country works to protect lives, property, and the environment.