Athens: Two crew members were killed and two others were rescued after two firefighting helicopters collided while battling a wildfire in western Attica, according to Greek authorities and public broadcaster ERT. The incident occurred on Sunday as the helicopters were engaged in efforts to control the wildfire in the Psatha area.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Greek Fire Service reported that the helicopters collided midair and crashed, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation. All four crew members involved in the crash were located. Among them, two were rescued alive, while the other two were found unconscious and later pronounced dead.

The crash claimed the lives of a Greek and a Danish crew member, while the survivors included a Greek and a British national. The survivors were transported to the 251st General Air Force Hospital in Athens for medical treatment.

The helicopters involved in the collision were leased Bell aircraft, each carrying a two-member crew comprising a foreign pilot and a Greek coordinator. Before the crash, the pilot of one helicopter contacted the Fire Department's operations center to report that the copilot had sustained injuries. The crew members from that helicopter were found with minor injuries and were able to communicate with rescuers immediately after the incident.

The helicopters had taken off from Elefsina Air Base, and the Greek Fire Service stated that the exact cause and circumstances of the collision are currently under investigation.