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Greece Battles Blaze After Deadly Mid-Air Collision
3 Aug
Summary
- Two crew members died in a mid-air helicopter collision during firefighting efforts.
- Powerful gales hampered firefighting efforts across southern Europe.
- More than 1,000 people were evacuated from fire-affected regions in Greece.
Water-dropping planes worked to contain a significant wildfire west of Athens on August 3, 2026, following a fatal mid-air collision between two firefighting helicopters that claimed the lives of two crew members. The incident occurred over the weekend while battling blazes in mountainous and coastal areas, efforts that were also hampered by strong gales.
As conditions improved slightly with easing winds, 12 water-dropping planes and 11 helicopters were deployed around Porto Germenos. Despite these efforts, multiple points of activity persisted, and authorities warned of high risks in areas surrounding Athens. Over 1,000 individuals were evacuated from the region, with more than 250 rescued by boat.
Simultaneously, France was contending with its largest wildfire on record, which had scorched approximately 420 square kilometers. Thousands of evacuees were permitted to return to their homes and accommodations on August 3, as the blaze was largely contained. However, a second wildfire in Provence remained uncontained, with firefighters working to reinforce lines amidst anticipation of stronger winds.
