In a tragic turn of events near Athens, Greece, two firefighting helicopters collided while battling intense wildfires. One helicopter crashed, though all four crew members were recovered. Two were safely rescued, while the others remained unconscious, and their current condition remains unknown.

This incident underscores the perilous conditions as wildfires rage across Europe. Strong winds escalated the flames near Athens, prompting new evacuations, while France and Spain tackle their own wildfire emergencies.

Wildfires Blaze Across Attica and Beyond

The helicopters, Bell models, operated west of Athens with crews of two. Notably, the crew included two Greeks and two foreign nationals, whose identities remain undisclosed by authorities.

Flames rapidly moved through western Attica, imperiling both communities and industrial zones. In 2018, the Mati wildfire in this region claimed 104 lives, marking the deadliest wildfire in Europe this century.

Elsewhere, fires in France and Spain prompted large-scale evacuations. France faced its most significant civilian evacuation outside wartime as fires forced 224,000 residents to flee. The Gironde megafire alone affected a 420-square-kilometer area, while firefighters continue to combat another blaze in Provence.

Record Fire Damage and Evacuation in Europe

Europe entered 2026 with a troubling increase in wildfire incidents, reaching its worst record in 2025 with over 10,000 square kilometers burned. The European Environment Agency links nearly 800 deaths over four decades to these wildfires. Europe’s rapid warming, more than twice the global average since the 1980s, intensifies wildfire threats. A study by World Weather Attribution indicates human-induced climate change doubled the likelihood of French fires this year.

Challenges Intensify Near Athens

Nearly 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft combat the blazes near Athens, but gale-force winds hinder water collection efforts from the sea. Authorities have ordered evacuations in several areas, with Porto Germeno as a focal point of concern. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis received updates on the operations.

The fire that began near Agios Vasileios spread toward Porto Germeno, ultimately affecting around 40 to 50 square kilometers. Emergency operations evacuated hundreds by sea, with no official estimates yet from authorities.

Other areas in Greece, such as Kefalonia and Halkidiki, faced similar wildfire threats, prompting evacuations and firefighting efforts.

“A pristine forest, a paradise, was surrendered to the hands of the fire,” said local farmer Minas Tzortzanis, lamenting the destruction.

France and Spain Battle Sustained Blazes

In France, the Gironde megafire remains within its perimeter but continues to burn, with the region under severe fire alerts. In Le Porge, about 150 homes were lost, and international reinforcements, including firefighters from Ukraine and Lithuania, are joining the fight.

Meanwhile, southeastern France deals with a separate fire, the Gros Bessillon, which remains uncontained. Evacuations have been executed across affected areas, emphasizing ongoing hazards.

In Spain, significant fires ceased advancing, yet they have claimed at least 13 lives and prompted national measures. The Fermoselle fire in Zamora province required extensive response efforts, with most evacuees returning home recently.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stressed the need for a national pact to tackle wildfires, highlighting the growing destruction linked to climate change.