Two firefighting helicopters collide mid-air over Greece wildfire in Attica
Synopsis
Two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air and crashed near Psatha while battling a wildfire in Greece's western Attica — a stark reminder of the lethal risks aerial crews face during Europe's intensifying fire season. With Spain simultaneously recording its largest-ever wildfire at over 50,000 hectares, southern Europe is confronting a wildfire crisis of historic proportions.
Key Takeaways
Two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air on Sunday afternoon over a wildfire in western Attica, Greece , crashing near Psatha .
The co-pilot of one helicopter was reportedly injured ; the status of the second crew remained unknown initially.
A large-scale rescue operation was launched following the crash.
In Spain , Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez ended the national emergency over wildfires in Avila and the Madrid region on Thursday.
The Burgohondo fire in Avila has burned more than 50,000 hectares — the largest wildfire ever recorded in Spain.
Nearly 130,000 hectares have burned across Spain since the start of the year, per the European Forest Fire Information System .
Two firefighting helicopters collided in mid-air on Sunday afternoon while battling a massive wildfire in Greece's western Attica region, according to Greek national broadcaster ERT. Both aircraft crashed near the coastal area of Psatha shortly after the collision, triggering a large-scale rescue operation.
What Happened Over Psatha
The pilot of one helicopter managed to contact the Fire Service's operations centre and reported that the co-pilot had sustained injuries. Rescue teams were immediately deployed to the crash site. There was no immediate information available on the status of the crew aboard the second helicopter, according to reports.
The collision occurred as crews were actively working to contain a massive wildfire that has been burning through western Attica — a region that includes forested and coastal zones west of Athens. Aerial firefighting operations in such conditions carry elevated risk, with multiple aircraft often operating in close proximity over active fire fronts.
Spain Declares End to National Emergency
The Greece incident comes as Europe continues to grapple with a severe wildfire season. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday announced the end of the national emergency declared over wildfires in the province of Avila and the Madrid region, after fires in both areas largely stabilised.
Speaking at an emergency command centre in Navaluenga, Avila, Sanchez said the decision followed consultations with regional authorities and technical teams. Emergency management has now been transferred back to regional governments under a lower, Level 2 operational status.
Spain's Largest Wildfire on Record
The Burgohondo fire in Avila has burned more than 50,000 hectares and is considered the largest wildfire ever recorded in Spain. The blaze has been technically stabilised, and residents who had been evacuated were allowed to return home. Since the start of the year, nearly 130,000 hectares have burned across Spain, according to the European Forest Fire Information System.
Massive Deployment Across Affected Zones
Thousands of firefighters, soldiers, police officers, and civil protection personnel have been deployed across Spain's affected areas. The Military Emergency Unit continues to play a central role in protecting communities and critical infrastructure. Spain also activated the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, under which Greece and Italy each offered two Canadair firefighting aircraft along with an additional support aircraft.
As wildfires intensify across southern Europe amid a new heatwave and strong winds, the dual crises in Greece and Spain underscore the growing operational and human cost of the continent's worsening fire seasons.
Point of View
Large-scale fire emergencies. When multiple aircraft converge over a single active front, the risk of collision rises sharply, yet coordination protocols have not kept pace with the surge in deployments. Spain's record-breaking Burgohondo fire and Greece's ongoing Attica crisis arriving in the same week should prompt a hard question from EU policymakers: is the Civil Protection Mechanism — designed for cross-border resource sharing — scaled adequately for a continent where extreme fire seasons are no longer the exception?
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened with the firefighting helicopters in Greece?
Two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air on Sunday afternoon while battling a wildfire in Greece's western Attica region and crashed near the coastal area of Psatha. The co-pilot of one helicopter was reported injured, and a rescue operation was launched immediately.
Where exactly did the helicopter collision occur in Greece?
The collision occurred over western Attica, Greece, with both aircraft crashing near the coastal area of Psatha. The helicopters were engaged in aerial firefighting operations over an active wildfire at the time.
What is the current wildfire situation in Spain?
Spain declared an end to its national emergency over wildfires in Avila and the Madrid region on Thursday after fires there largely stabilised. However, the Burgohondo fire in Avila has already burned more than 50,000 hectares, making it the largest wildfire ever recorded in Spain.
How much land has burned in Spain this year?
According to the European Forest Fire Information System, nearly 130,000 hectares have burned across Spain since the start of 2025. Active blazes continue in some areas amid a new heatwave and strong winds.
How is the EU responding to the wildfire crisis in southern Europe?
Spain activated the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, under which Greece and Italy each provided two Canadair firefighting aircraft along with an additional support aircraft. Thousands of firefighters, soldiers, and civil protection personnel have also been deployed across affected areas in Spain.
