Greece crash latest: British national survives after two helicopters collide leaving two dead

A Briton has survived after two firefighting helicopters collided while fighting wildfires west of Athens on Sunday, killing two people, Greek authorities said. A Greek and a Danish national were killed in the helicopters collision, the fire service said, adding that a British pilot and Greek liaison onboard the second helicopter both survived. The two helicopters collided in the area of Psatha in the Attica region, Greece's fire service said in a statement. Greek firefighters have been battling to control a huge wildfire that has destroyed over 100 homes northwest of Athens, while a fresh blaze forced evacuations on the popular tourist island of Kefalonia. The crash comes after three firefighters were killed while battling out-of-control wildfires on Crete and in mainland Greece. In Crete, two firefighters died after becoming trapped between two fire fronts in the region of Rethymno on Wednesday. A third firefighter was found unconscious near the southern Peloponnese port town of Gytheio and was later pronounced dead. Europe has been ravaged by wildfires this summer after a period of record-breaking heatwaves and little rain - conditions that scientists say have been exacerbated by climate change.Pictured: Helicopter lies in ruins at sight of crash near Psatha, Attica Alex Croft2 August 2026 21:46All Bell helicopters grounded after the crash - report The helicopters which collided today were from American Aerospace company Bell Textron, according to Greek media. As is protocol, all Bell helicopters operating on this specific fire front were grounded until further notice. The aircraft had been participating in the battle against the Attica fires since the morning. Alex Croft2 August 2026 21:10Is it safe to travel to Greece? Foreign Office latest as wildfires rage and helicopters collide As a series of heatwaves causes wildfires across Europe, holidaymakers may be concerned about the safety of their summer travel plans. In Greece, two firefighting helicopters collided while fighting wildfires west of Athens on Sunday. Greek firefighters have been battling to control a huge wildfire that has destroyed over 100 homes northwest of Athens, while a fresh blaze forced evacuations on the popular tourist island of Kefalonia. Here’s the latest travel advice for Greece, plus all the key questions and answers. Natalie Wilson reports: Alex Croft2 August 2026 20:43Greek president pays tribute to firemen killed in crash We’ve just heard from Greek president Konstantinos Tasoulas, who visited the Civil Protection Coordination Center in Athens on Sunday. He said the “tragic incident” highlights the “dangerousness of the challenges faced by Fire Department Personnel. Tasoulas was briefed on the situation around Psatha, Attica, by the climate minister and fire department before making his statement, Proto Thema reported. “It is with deep sorrow that I learned earlier today of the loss of life of the pilot and the coordinator of the firefighting helicopter during an aerial firefighting operation in Psatha, Attica. “The tragic incident highlights the danger of the challenges faced by the Fire Department executives as well as all those who perform their duty defending human lives, cities and communities, as well as the natural wealth of our country.” Alex Croft2 August 2026 20:12Greek PM pays condolences to Greek and Danish nationals killed Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has expressed his “deepest sorrow” over the deaths of a Danish pilot and Greek coordinator in today’s crash. “I express my deepest sorrow for the tragic accident involving the two leased firefighting helicopters that cost the lives of two frontline fighters in the war against the fires under highly adverse weather conditions—especially for our aerial assets,” he wrote. “The loss of the Greek coordinator and the Danish pilot while they were operating in the major fire at Porto Germeno fills us all with grief. Sincere condolences to their families.” Alex Croft2 August 2026 19:40Briton survived the crash, Greek fire service confirms We’ve had confirmation from the fire service that a Briton survived the crash, as did his crewmate on the Two people on one helicopter — a Greek and a Danish national — died, while the crew on the other, one person from Greece, one from Britain, survived, the fire service said. Investigations had started into what caused the collision, it added. Stay with us as we bring you all the latest developments on this crash. Alex Croft2 August 2026 19:15 Alex Croft2 August 2026 18:50In pictures: Greece in flames as wildfires continue battering southern Europe This photo shows a wildfire burning trees in Viotia region, west of Athens (AFP/Getty) Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire in Loumpa village (AFP/Getty) Alex Croft2 August 2026 18:13Breaking: Officials confirm Greek and Danish national killed As we’ve been reporting, Greek media said the helicopter in which two people died had one Greek and one Danish national onboard. Officials in Greece have just confirmed that a Greek and Danish national were killed in the collision near athens. Alex Croft2 August 2026 17:44One of the helicopter pilots was British, reports Greek media Greek media is reporting that the surviving pilot of one of the helicopters was British. The British pilot and Greek liaison of the helicopter have been taken to hospital, where they are going through imaging and laboratory tests, reports Proto Thema. The second helicopter was being flown by a Danish pilot and had a Greek liaison onboard. They are both reported to have died in the crash. A firefighting helicopter drops water over a cloud of smoke of a wildfire in the area of Porto Germeno, some 70 kilometres (45 miles) (AFP/Getty) Alex Croft2 August 2026 17:41