A search and rescue operation is under way after two firefighting helicopters crashed in Greece while tackling wildfires
The collision happened west of Athens on Sunday, according to the fire service - here's what we know so far
Greece is one of several European countries suffering wildfires after a succession of heatwaves across the continent
On Sunday, Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that the country is facing extreme weather conditions and warned of "extremely difficult" days ahead
According to the fire service, the helicopters collided in the wider area of Psatha, Attica, a coastal area west of Athens.
Firefighters have been battling wildfires in the region, along with several other parts of the country.
Image source, ReutersA firefighter works to extinguish a wildfire near Formariz, Spain, on Wednesday
Greece is one of several European nations suffering devastating wildfires after a succession of heatwaves and little rain created favourable conditions for them.
Since mid-July wildfires have torn through France, Spain, and Portugal, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate their homes.
Officials in the Spanish capital Madrid have said the fires are the worst the region has ever experienced.
More than 200,000 hectares of land has burnt across the country in 2026, roughly five times above the average by this point in the year, EU data shows.
A wildfire that broke out in the Gironde region of France was last week described by French President Emmanuel Macron as "completely unprecedented".
The UK has also been battling wildfires, with a blaze that devastated heathland in Suffolk declared stable on Saturday.
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Image source, ReutersWorkers use olive branches to extinguish flames during in the Megara valley
Image source, ReutersVolunteers try to extinguish a fire burning at a yard of a house in the settlement of Zachouli, in Attica
Image source, ReutersFirefighters battle an inferno near the village Agia Paraskevi
Image source, ReutersEarlier on Sunday, Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that the country is facing "extreme weather conditions" and warned of "extremely difficult" days ahead amid the ongoing wildfires.
He says winds have reached 100 kilometres (60 miles) an hour, which means "the dozens of aircraft we have at our disposal cannot operate safely".
"There are moments when nature and the intensity of weather phenomena surpass any human planning and any operational capability," he writes on Facebook.
Mitsotakis has also paid tribute to three firefighters who died tackling the wildfires across the country earlier in the week and praised continued efforts of fire crews, volunteers and military personnel.
Image source, ReutersThousands of people have been evacuated as wildfires rage in multiple areas of Greece, including parts of the mainland and tourist destinations.
On the island of Crete, fires have burned thousands of hectares of land and prompted the temporary evacuation of 8,000 people.
About 500 people, mostly tourists, were also evacuated in central Greece on Friday.
Fires have also broken out on the islands of Paros, Andros and Kalymnos.
Greece is one of several European countries suffering devastating wildfires after a succession of heatwaves created favourable conditions for them.
The collision occurred during firefighting efforts in Greece - here's what we do and don't know.
What we know
What we don't know
Two helicopters have crashed in Greece while fighting wildfires west of Athens, fire service has said.
The incident is described as having taken place in the wider area of Psatha, Attica.
The helicopters were leased by the fire department and each had a crew of two people, having taken off from the Elefsina military airport, the statement says.
A search and rescue operation is under way.
