2 firefighting helicopters collide midair near Athens as Europe's wildfire emergency rages
Two firefighting helicopters collided midair while battling wildfires near Athens, Greece, as the country faces an escalating wildfire emergency. The incident occurs amidst a broader European crisis, with massive fires also burning in France and Spain.
Why it matters
The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in Europe are straining emergency services and highlighting the escalating risks of climate change.
Two firefighting helicopters collided on Sunday (August 2, 2026) while battling a wind-driven wildfire in the Porto Germeno area, west of Athens. Footage showed one of the aircraft crashing to the ground.
Each helicopter was carrying a two-person crew, the Greek fire department said. A search-and-rescue operation was underway. Authorities did not immediately provide information on the crews' condition.
The collision underscored the continuing danger at the most volatile front of Europe's wildfire emergency.
The continent's crisis split into three stark fronts: strong winds drove flames deeper into the Athens region and forced fresh evacuations, France guarded a still-burning scar four times the size of Paris, and Spain's major fires stopped advancing.
The most immediate danger was in Greece. Flames spread through western Attica, the region around Athens, threatening communities and an industrial district outside Megara as violent gusts prevented firefighting aircraft from collecting water from the sea.
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