A mid-air collision between two firefighting helicopters battling a fierce forest fire in western Attica triggered a major search and rescue operation on Sunday.
PSATHA, Greece — The incident occurred over the Psatha region, approximately 70 kilometers northwest of Athens, as emergency crews worked to contain a massive wildfire threatening the coastal village of Porto Germeno.
According to the Greek Fire Service, both aircraft were Bell 214ST medium-lift helicopters operating as part of aerial firefighting efforts. The aircraft involved were identified as:
- N511EV (Serial number 28105, manufactured in 1982)
- N746H (Serial number 28200, manufactured in 1991)
Collision and Rescue Operations
Each helicopter was carrying a two-person crew at the time of the impact. Following the collision, one of the helicopters exploded mid-air before crashing into the rugged terrain below.
Emergency search and rescue teams deployed immediately to the crash site. Officials confirmed that all four crew members have been located and rescued. One crew member sustained injuries and received medical attention, while rescue and recovery teams remain on-site to secure the area and assess the full scope of the wreckage.
Massive Wildfire Mobilization
| Emergency Response Details | |
| Location | Psatha / Porto Germeno, Greece (~70 km NW of Athens) |
| Ground Personnel | Nearly 500 firefighters deployed |
| Aircraft Involved | 2 × Bell 214ST Helicopters |
| Total Crew Onboard | 4 (2 per helicopter) |
| Status of Crew | 4 rescued (1 injured) |
The mid-air incident occurred amidst an intense firefighting effort involving nearly 500 firefighters on the ground, supported by ground vehicles and multiple aerial units. Thick smoke and difficult topography around the coastal region of Porto Germeno have complicated both suppression operations and emergency access to the crash zone.
Aviation and civil protection authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the collision during active water-dropping runs.
