Greece Investigates Fatal Helicopter Collision Amid Fires

The battle against major wildfires in Greece continued for a fourth consecutive day as authorities launched an investigation into the fatal collision of two firefighting helicopters that claimed the lives of both pilots.

The crash occurred during an aerial firefighting mission west of Athens. According to Greek authorities, one helicopter's rotor struck the other aircraft, causing it to explode and crash. The victims were identified as a Danish pilot and a Greek pilot. The crew aboard the second helicopter survived after its pilot managed to carry out an emergency landing.

The deaths raise Greece's wildfire-related death toll to five after three firefighters lost their lives last week while battling separate blazes in Crete and the Peloponnese. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen extended condolences to Greece following the tragedy.

The largest active fire remains west of Athens, where flames continue to threaten populated areas. Residents and tourists from three villages were ordered to evacuate again as the fire advanced toward homes. Near the town of Mandra, aerial firefighting operations resumed, providing critical support to more than 500 firefighters, volunteers, and local residents working on the ground.

Fire crews have also been using tractors to dig protective trenches in an effort to slow the fire's advance. Officials from Greece's Civil Protection agency said slightly weaker winds have improved conditions, raising hopes that most active fire fronts could be brought under control by the end of the day.

Authorities have urged people staying near the affected areas to wear protective masks because smoke and dust continue to spread over wide areas. The Health Ministry said hospitals remain on alert, with emergency medical teams deployed close to the fire zones.

The blaze has spread to within a few kilometers of the town of Megara, home to around 36,000 residents. Initial estimates indicate that more than 10,000 hectares of forest, along with homes, agricultural buildings, and farmland, have been destroyed since the fires erupted on Friday.

Hundreds of firefighters, including crews from Romania and France, remain involved in efforts to contain the flames around the densely forested Kytheron mountain range. Throughout the emergency, firefighting aircraft and helicopters have repeatedly flown over Athens while traveling to and from the affected region.

Investigators are examining whether sparks from power lines serving a privately operated wind farm network may have ignited the fire. Two people have been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the disaster as extraordinary, saying, "There are situations in which the nature and intensity of meteorological events exceed all human planning and any operational capabilities."

Authorities have issued a very high wildfire risk warning for the regions of Attica, Evia, and Viotia. Numerous communities have received evacuation alerts by text message, while animal rescue organizations have been working to move pets, livestock, and wildlife away from the advancing flames.

The Greek government has pledged swift compensation for those affected by the fires, while officials remain cautiously optimistic that calmer weather conditions will help firefighters gain greater control over the blazes.