By Emmanuel Bobby
Firefighters resumed an all-out effort Monday to contain a fast-moving wildfire west of Athens after a tragic midair collision between two firefighting helicopters claimed the lives of two crew members, underscoring the extreme dangers faced by emergency responders battling one of Greece’s worst wildfire outbreaks this summer.
At daybreak, five water-dropping aircraft and five firefighting helicopters returned to the skies to support nearly 500 firefighters on the ground as they worked to prevent the flames from spreading farther toward populated communities. The renewed aerial assault came after strong winds eased overnight, offering firefighters their best opportunity in days to slow the wildfire’s advance.
The blaze, which ignited Friday morning near the coastal area of Psatha, has burned through large stretches of pine forest and dry scrubland. Fierce winds over the weekend fueled the fire’s rapid expansion while frequently grounding aircraft, leaving ground crews to battle dangerous conditions with limited air support.
Two Firefighters Killed in Midair Collision
The firefighting effort suffered a devastating setback Sunday when two helicopters operating over the fire collided while conducting water-dropping missions.
Authorities said one helicopter carrying a Greek pilot and a Danish crew member collided with another aircraft near the fire zone. Both individuals aboard the first helicopter were killed in the crash.
The second helicopter, carrying a Greek and a British crew member, managed to make an emergency landing. Both survivors were transported to a nearby hospital, where officials said they sustained only minor injuries.
International firefighting teams regularly assist Greece during the country’s wildfire season, with pilots and crews from across Europe deployed to help combat increasingly severe summer fires fueled by prolonged heat and drought.
The accident has drawn attention to the hazardous conditions faced by aerial firefighting crews, who often fly at low altitudes through thick smoke, turbulent winds, and congested airspace while attempting to slow rapidly spreading fires.
Thousands Forced to Evacuate
The wildfire has already forced the evacuation of more than 1,000 residents and visitors from communities west of Athens.
Authorities said more than 250 people were rescued by boats after flames approached coastal areas and beaches, leaving many trapped between the advancing fire and the sea.
Additional evacuation orders were issued early Monday for three more communities as emergency officials warned residents that changing fire conditions could threaten new areas with little warning.
Firefighters spent the night constructing firebreaks through nearby forests in an effort to stop the flames from reaching additional homes and infrastructure.
Although winds weakened Monday morning, officials cautioned that rising temperatures expected later in the day could once again increase wildfire danger throughout the Attica region surrounding the Greek capital.
Emergency services continue to warn that conditions remain highly volatile despite the temporary improvement in weather.
Investigators Blame Faulty Power Line
Greek authorities believe they have identified the source of the wildfire.
According to the national firefighting department, preliminary findings indicate the fire was likely sparked by a malfunctioning power line carrying electricity from a privately operated wind energy facility to Greece’s main electrical grid.
The suspected equipment failure reportedly generated sparks that ignited dry vegetation during a period of extreme fire danger.
Following the investigation, police arrested two individuals connected to the electrical infrastructure project.
Those taken into custody include the electrical engineer responsible for designing and supervising the installation, along with a contractor involved in building the transmission network.
Both suspects face felony arson charges stemming from negligence.
Authorities have also issued an arrest warrant for the owner of the wind power company connected to the transmission system, as investigators continue examining whether safety standards were violated.
Negligence Remains Leading Cause of Wildfires
Greece experiences hundreds of wildfires every year during its long, hot summers.
Extended periods of drought, high temperatures, and powerful seasonal winds create ideal conditions for fires to spread rapidly once ignited.
Officials have repeatedly warned that most wildfires are caused by human negligence rather than natural causes.
Despite seasonal restrictions banning outdoor activities such as barbecuing, welding, and the use of equipment capable of producing sparks, authorities say violations remain common.
While accidental fires account for the majority of incidents, investigators also continue to pursue suspected cases of intentional arson.
On the island of Kefalonia, police announced Sunday that a man had been arrested on suspicion of deliberately starting a wildfire that spread quickly through southeastern portions of the island, forcing nearby villages to evacuate.
Europe Continues to Battle Historic Wildfire Season
The wildfire emergency extends well beyond Greece, with several European countries confronting some of the largest fires in recent history.
In France, firefighters continued battling the country’s largest wildfire, which remained contained within its perimeter Sunday night but continued burning in isolated hot spots across a massive burn area covering approximately 420 square kilometers (162 square miles)—an area roughly four times the size of Paris.
The French wildfire has already forced approximately 224,000 people to evacuate, making it one of the largest civilian evacuations in the country’s modern history outside of wartime.
Nearly 3,000 firefighters remain deployed to contain the massive blaze in the Gironde region, while simultaneously responding to another significant wildfire burning in Provence.
Across France and Spain, wildfires have displaced roughly one-third of a million people, forcing residents and tourists alike to abandon homes, hotels, and vacation destinations during the height of the European summer travel season.
Emergency services across southern Europe continue to face immense pressure as multiple large-scale fires burn simultaneously, stretching firefighting resources while climate conditions remain favorable for additional outbreaks.
Authorities throughout the region are urging residents to remain vigilant, follow evacuation orders immediately, and avoid activities that could ignite new fires as Europe endures another dangerous wildfire season.
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