2 killed when firefighting helicopters collide near Athens as Europe's wildfire emergency rages
Summary
Two firefighting helicopters collided near Athens, Greece, while fighting a large wildfire, killing two crew members. The wildfire emergency is part of a wider crisis in Europe, where record fires have caused mass evacuations in Greece, France, and Spain amid strong winds and hot, dry conditions.Key Facts
- Two Greek firefighting helicopters crashed near Athens, killing one Greek and one Danish crew member.
- Two other crew members survived: one Greek and one British national.
- The helicopters were Bell models working over the Psatha area west of Athens during a wind-driven wildfire.
- Strong winds made firefighting difficult by spreading flames quickly and stopping aircraft from collecting water.
- The wildfire threatened communities and industrial areas near Athens, forcing evacuations.
- Similar large fires in France and Spain caused mass evacuations, with about 330,000 people displaced in southwestern Europe.
- Europe is experiencing increased wildfire severity due to climate change, with the continent warming faster than the global average.
- French and Spanish firefighters continue battling large blazes that have burned thousands of square kilometers and displaced residents.
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