A helicopter was captured on camera bursting into flames after it collided with another while helping to tackle a wildfire spreading in the Psatha region, on the Gulf of Corinth west of Athens.
The two helicopters were involved in firefighting efforts as the blaze spread. According to local news site in.gr, an injured crew member from one of the aircraft was in communication with officials. A search was under way in a ravine for the other helicopter, which did not appear to have a functioning radio. Both helicopters had two people on board: a pilot and a passenger who coordinated with the operations centre.
Evacuations from Porto Germeno
On Friday, 300 people were evacuated by sea from Porto Germeno, a popular resort a short distance north of Psatha, due to the wildfires.
Local resident Minas Tzortzanis told PA news agency: "A pristine forest, a paradise, was surrendered to the hands of the fire. There are no words to explain what has happened. Destruction. Total destruction."
Wind hampers firefighting
Weather conditions have played an additional role in complicating the efforts. Climate crisis and civil protection minister Evangelos Tournas said: "The very strong to gale-force winds continue to create exceptionally difficult conditions."
The turbulence has meant some aircraft are struggling to collect water and get close enough to the scene to drop it.
Wider European wildfires
Today's incident in Greece took place as several European countries face challenges from wildfires during an extremely hot and dry summer. In France and Spain, around a third of a million people had to evacuate their homes due to rapidly spreading fires. Others were forced to take shelter as ash and toxic smoke poisoned the sky, with enormous thunderstorms called pyrocumulonimbus clouds formed as a result.
