Two pilots killed as helicopters collide fighting wildfires near Athens
Two firefighting helicopters collided west of Athens, killing both pilots, as wildfires driven by heatwaves threaten a coastal resort and force thousands to evacuate on Crete.
Two firefighting helicopters collided while battling wildfires west of Athens, killing both pilots. The blazes have forced evacuations of around 8,000 people on Crete and threaten a coastal resort. More than 500 firefighters are deployed near the Kithairon mountain range.
Two firefighting helicopters collided in midair west of Athens while battling wildfires, killing both pilots, according to reports from Tagesschau. The crash occurred as flames pushed to within roughly 60 kilometres of the Greek capital, with more than 500 firefighters deployed at the Kithairon mountain range. Rescue crews were still searching for one of the crews, reports said. Wildfires have raged across Greece for days, threatening a popular coastal resort and forcing the evacuation of about 8,000 people on Crete, according to multiple sources. The blazes, fuelled by hot, dry conditions and flammable vegetation, are a recurring summer crisis in the Mediterranean country. Similar fires have burned in Spain and France, though French minister Sébastien Lecornu said the situation there was “by and large” under control. The deaths underscore the danger faced by emergency crews as southern Europe endures prolonged heatwaves that began in April. Experts cited by Zeit Online have called for stronger fire protection around residential areas. Meanwhile, the Munich-based startup Ororatech uses its own thermal satellites and artificial intelligence to detect wildfires early and provide real-time data to fire services.
Two pilots killed as helicopters collide fighting wildfires near Athens
Two firefighting helicopters collided west of Athens while battling spreading wildfires, according to reports. Two pilots died in the subsequent crash, and a search is still underway for one crew member, sources said.
The blazes have advanced to within about 60 kilometres of the capital, threatening a popular coastal resort, according to reports. More than 500 firefighters and volunteers are fighting the flames at the Kithairon mountain range, reports suggest. Several towns near Megara have been ordered to evacuate, according to sources.
Strong winds hampered firefighting efforts through the night, reports indicate.
Heatwaves and evacuations across southern Europe
Wildfires are a regular occurrence in Greece, according to de.wikipedia.org, driven by the Mediterranean climate, flammable vegetation and human activity. From April to September 2025, parts of Europe were hit by multiple heatwaves, en.wikipedia.org reports. On Crete, reports suggest around 8,000 people, including tourists at a holiday resort, were evacuated. In the Czech Republic, tagesschau.de says a second heatwave pushed temperatures in Prague to nearly 40°C, raising fears of fires there too. In France, Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the situation was "on the whole" under control, according to reports.
Hitzewellen in Europa
Waldbrände in Griechenland breiten sich aus
Schwere Waldbrände wüten seit Tagen in Griechenland
Ein beliebter Ferienort an der Küste ist von den Flammen bedroht
Auch in Spanien und Frankreich lodern noch Feuer
Die Lage in Spanien und Frankreich hat sich etwas entspannt
Ein Experte fordert, den Waldbrandschutz an Wohngebieten zu stärken
Ororatech nutzt eigene Wärmebildsatelliten und KI zur Früherkennung von Waldbränden
Ororatech liefert Feuerwehr und Behörden Echtzeitdaten zur Brandbekämpfung
Waldbrände in Griechenland treten regelmäßig auf
Mediterranes Klima begünstigt Waldbrände in Griechenland
Brennbare Vegetation begünstigt Waldbrände in Griechenland
Technology and calls for better prevention as fires persist
An expert has called for stronger wildfire protection near residential areas, according to zeit.de. The Munich-based startup Ororatech uses its own thermal-imaging satellites and artificial intelligence to detect wildfires early worldwide, providing real-time data to fire services and authorities, dw.com reported. In France, the situation is "by and large" under control, according to Sébastien Lecornu. Fires continue in Spain, though the situation has eased somewhat, dw.com said.
Ein Experte fordert, den Waldbrandschutz an Wohngebieten zu stärken.
Frequently asked questions
What happened with the helicopters in Greece?
According to reports, two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air west of Athens while battling wildfires. Two pilots died in the subsequent crash, and search efforts for one crew member are ongoing.
How close are the Greece wildfires to Athens?
Reports indicate that wildfires have spread to within about 60 kilometers of Athens. More than 500 firefighters are battling the flames at the Kithairon-Gebirge mountain range west of the city, and several towns near Megara have been ordered to evacuate.
Are tourists being evacuated in Greece?
According to reports, around 8,000 people were evacuated on Crete, including guests at a resort. Several towns near Megara, west of Athens, were also ordered to evacuate as fires threatened coastal holiday areas.
What technology is being used to fight the fires?
The briefing states that a Munich-based startup, Ororatech, uses its own thermal-imaging satellites and artificial intelligence to detect wildfires early worldwide. It provides real-time data to fire departments and authorities to aid firefighting efforts.
Why does Greece have so many wildfires?
According to the briefing, the Mediterranean climate, flammable vegetation, and human activities all contribute to the regular occurrence of wildfires in Greece. Parts of Europe also experienced several heatwaves from April to September 2025, which can worsen conditions.
Compiled from reporting by 11 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
