Two helicopters collided in mid-air over Greece on Wednesday while attempting to extinguish wildfires raging across the country. The incident occurred approximately 65 kilometers west of Athens, near the town of Psatha.

Video footage shows one helicopter's rotor striking the other, causing it to burst into flames. Both aircraft plunged into a ravine. Two of the four crew members were found unconscious, while the others sustained minor injuries, according to Greek media.

Greece has been battling multiple blazes this week, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. Strong winds have hampered firefighting efforts, allowing the flames to spread rapidly.

The collision happened during a forest firefighting operation in the Psatha area, the Fire Department confirmed. The crew consisted of two Greeks and two Romanians, who were transported to the 251st Air Force General Hospital.

Elsewhere in Europe, France and Spain have also suffered devastating wildfires after a series of heatwaves. Two major fires near Madrid and Bordeaux have been contained but continue to burn. Approximately 300,000 evacuees have begun returning to their homes.

Greek media describe a "titanic battle" across a swath of territory including Porto Germeno, Psatha, Fokida, Megara, and Kefalonia, where over 500 firefighters have struggled for 72 hours to bring the situation under control.

Most wildfires are sparked by human activity, but climate change is making conditions more favorable for their spread. A mild, wet winter encouraged vegetation growth, which has since dried out in successive heatwaves, providing ample fuel for fires.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk