Two Bell firefighting helicopters collide over Psatha area west of Athens amid Greece wildfire emergency, officials launch probe

Firefighting helicopter crews were involved in a collision over the Psatha area west of Athens on Sunday as Greece and other parts of Europe faced intensified wildfires, CBS News reported. The incident occurred while the helicopters were operating on an active response over the region, an area frequently affected by summer blazes, according to the report.

CBS News said the aircraft were Bell helicopters deployed for firefighting operations and that each helicopter had a two-person crew. The collision forced emergency services to respond on the ground and raised immediate questions about how the two aircraft were operating in the same airspace during the emergency.

Greece’s wildfire season has strained firefighting resources across Europe, and aircraft are often deployed in coordination with ground crews, air-traffic controls, and local emergency authorities. In that context, the incident over Psatha highlights the operational challenges of managing aircraft movements over fast-changing fire lines, smoke, and visibility conditions.

The CBS News report said authorities launched an investigation into the circumstances of the collision. As is typical in incidents involving public safety aviation operations, investigators are expected to examine flight logs, dispatch records, radio communications, weather conditions, and the procedures used for aircraft separation and coordination during the firefighting mission.

While details about the extent of injuries or damage were not established in the CBS News summary, the collision was treated as a significant safety event given the specialized role of firefighting helicopters. Emergency managers generally prioritize crew welfare, secure the scene, and adjust air operations while investigators work to determine what occurred.

For communities near Psatha and across the wider Athens region, the incident adds to an already high-risk period when wildfires can threaten homes, roads, and critical services. Firefighting aviation is central to rapid response, especially when blazes move quickly and when ground access is limited by terrain, smoke, or fire behavior.

Officials are expected to provide further updates as the investigation progresses, including any findings that could influence future air-operation procedures during firefighting missions. In the meantime, the episode is likely to prompt renewed scrutiny of coordination practices for multiple helicopters operating in close proximity during wildfire surges.