Two helicopters collide mid-air in Greece while fighting wildfires near Athens

Jerusalem Post/World News"Forces were immediately mobilized for a search and rescue operation for the crews, which is underway," the announcement by Greece's fire department read.Follow us on GoogleA firefighting helicopter flies over wildfire near the village Agia Paraskevi, Greece, August 2, 2026.(photo credit: REUTERS/STELIOS MISINAS)ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN, REUTERSAUGUST 2, 2026 16:41Updated: AUGUST 2, 2026 17:03Two helicopters crashed midair in Athens while participating in the firefighting efforts to combat wildfires that are affecting several areas of Greece, Greek outlet Ekathimerini reported on Sunday."Forces were immediately mobilized for a search and rescue operation for the crews, which is underway," the report added, with initial assessments indicating that the crew of one of the helicopters was safely rescued.According to the reports, the helicopters crashed near the area of Psatha, west of Athens, with searches now underway to locate the crew of the second affected helicopter.The helicopters were part of the operation to control a huge wildfire that has destroyed over 100 homes northwest of Athens, while another fresh blaze forced evacuations on the popular tourist island of Kefalonia.Wildfires hit Europe as temperatures register record highEurope has been ravaged by wildfires this summer after a period of record-breaking heatwaves and little rain - conditions that scientists say have been exacerbated by climate change.Firefighters battle a wildfire near the village Agia Paraskevi, Greece, August 2, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/STELIOS MISINAS)Destructive blazes in France and Spain showed signs of easing over the weekend, but several wildfires have broken out in Greece after a period of relative calm there.Gale-force winds that fueled the fire around Porto Germeno on the Gulf of Corinth 60 km (40 miles) northwest of Athens have subsided, but flames crossed a mountain to the south and reached the settlement of Veniza and a military firing range, activating unexploded ordnance.Nearly 500 Greek firefighters, equipped with vehicles, heavy machinery, and firefighting aircraft, have been deployed, reinforced by France and Romania.In the village of Agios Konstantinos, residents were doing their best to halt the spread of the blaze."The fire has been burning since last night; it is certain that they cannot have forces everywhere. We as residents are doing everything we can,” said Tasos Tzempelikos, 61, who, along with his son, was pouring water on the fire.This is a developing story.Follow us on Google