On 2 August 2026, two Bell firefighting helicopters collided in mid-air near Psatha in West Attica while supporting the response to a large wildfire west of Athens. Each aircraft carried two people. Two occupants of one helicopter died, while the two people aboard the other were recovered alive.[1]Greece crash latest: Two helicopters collide while tackling wildfiresSky News · news.sky.com · Accessed 2026-08-02Open source details[2]2 killed when firefighting helicopters collide near Athens as Europe's wildfire emergency ragesAssociated Press · apnews.com · Accessed 2026-08-02Open source details[3]Συγκρούστηκαν δύο ελικόπτερα που επιχειρούσαν στην Ψάθα – Δύο νεκροί και δύο διασωθέντεςNews 24/7 · news247.gr · Accessed 2026-08-02Open source details
This report records facts established on the day of the collision. The wildfire response and the investigation were still active when it was published, so operational totals and investigative findings may change.
What happened
The Hellenic Fire Service said the two helicopters were leased aircraft working on the Attica–Boeotia wildfire. A local report reproducing the service's announcement said both had departed from Elefsina airport before the collision and that search-and-rescue crews located and recovered all four occupants.[3]Συγκρούστηκαν δύο ελικόπτερα που επιχειρούσαν στην Ψάθα – Δύο νεκροί και δύο διασωθέντεςNews 24/7 · news247.gr · Accessed 2026-08-02Open source details
The Associated Press reported that one helicopter crashed to the ground after the mid-air contact. The same-day public accounts did not establish the aircraft registrations, the precise flight paths, or a causal sequence.[2]2 killed when firefighting helicopters collide near Athens as Europe's wildfire emergency ragesAssociated Press · apnews.com · Accessed 2026-08-02Open source details[3]Συγκρούστηκαν δύο ελικόπτερα που επιχειρούσαν στην Ψάθα – Δύο νεκροί και δύο διασωθέντεςNews 24/7 · news247.gr · Accessed 2026-08-02Open source details
Crew and rescue
The Associated Press identified those killed as a Danish pilot and a Greek firefighting coordinator. It identified the survivors as a British national and a Greek national.[2]2 killed when firefighting helicopters collide near Athens as Europe's wildfire emergency ragesAssociated Press · apnews.com · Accessed 2026-08-02Open source details News 24/7 reported that two survivors were taken to the 251 General Air Force Hospital with light injuries.[3]Συγκρούστηκαν δύο ελικόπτερα που επιχειρούσαν στην Ψάθα – Δύο νεκροί και δύο διασωθέντεςNews 24/7 · news247.gr · Accessed 2026-08-02Open source details El País independently reported the same two-fatality, two-survivor outcome and the nationalities involved.[4]Dos pilotos mueren al chocar dos helicópteros que participaban en la extinción de un incendio en GreciaEl País · elpais.com · Accessed 2026-08-02Open source details
No names are included here because the sources reviewed had not established that next of kin notifications and official public identification were complete.
Firefighting context
The wildfire began near Agios Vasileios on Friday and spread toward Porto Germeno and the forested area west of Athens. Strong winds complicated the response and, according to the Associated Press, at times prevented aircraft from collecting water from the sea.[2]2 killed when firefighting helicopters collide near Athens as Europe's wildfire emergency ragesAssociated Press · apnews.com · Accessed 2026-08-02Open source details
In its same-day account, the Associated Press said nearly 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft were involved and that evacuations had been ordered in Kandili, Agia Skepi and Toutouli.[2]2 killed when firefighting helicopters collide near Athens as Europe's wildfire emergency ragesAssociated Press · apnews.com · Accessed 2026-08-02Open source details Those figures describe the response at that point in a developing wildfire and should not be treated as final totals.
Timeline
31 July 2026: The fire began near Agios Vasileios and moved toward Porto Germeno as the wider response expanded.[2]2 killed when firefighting helicopters collide near Athens as Europe's wildfire emergency ragesAssociated Press · apnews.com · Accessed 2026-08-02Open source details
2 August 2026: The two leased Bell helicopters collided while operating near Psatha. Search-and-rescue crews recovered all four occupants; two were later confirmed dead and two alive.[3]Συγκρούστηκαν δύο ελικόπτερα που επιχειρούσαν στην Ψάθα – Δύο νεκροί και δύο διασωθέντεςNews 24/7 · news247.gr · Accessed 2026-08-02Open source details[2]2 killed when firefighting helicopters collide near Athens as Europe's wildfire emergency ragesAssociated Press · apnews.com · Accessed 2026-08-02Open source details
2 August 2026: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed condolences to the families of the Greek coordinator and Danish pilot.[2]2 killed when firefighting helicopters collide near Athens as Europe's wildfire emergency ragesAssociated Press · apnews.com · Accessed 2026-08-02Open source details
Investigation
The Fire Service announcement said the exact causes and circumstances were being investigated by the competent authorities.[3]Συγκρούστηκαν δύο ελικόπτερα που επιχειρούσαν στην Ψάθα – Δύο νεκροί και δύο διασωθέντεςNews 24/7 · news247.gr · Accessed 2026-08-02Open source details No causal finding had been released in the sources reviewed on 2 August 2026. This article therefore does not attribute the collision to weather, visibility, crew action, air-traffic coordination, or a technical fault.
Outcome
The collision killed two members of the aerial firefighting operation and left two survivors. It occurred during an intensive, wind-affected wildfire response, but the existence of difficult operating conditions is context rather than an explanation of cause.[2]2 killed when firefighting helicopters collide near Athens as Europe's wildfire emergency ragesAssociated Press · apnews.com · Accessed 2026-08-02Open source details The record should be updated when an investigating authority releases formal findings.