Two crew killed as British pilot survives after firefighting helicopters collide in Greece

According to protocol, all Bell helicopters across the country have been grounded, a source from the civil protection ministry told the BBC.

The source added that the second Bell helicopter involved in the collision made an emergency landing in an area of low vegetation.

“The two people on board, a British pilot and a Greek fire service liaison officer – escaped with minor injuries,” the source said.

“Both remained conscious and have been admitted to hospital, where they will remain under observation for 24 hours as a precaution.”

The source also told the The Mediathe British survivor was a private pilot hired for the wildfire season.

He was not part of any exchange between the UK and Greece, and there was no request for assistance from Athens.

Meanwhile, Greece’s Ekathimerini news website statedthe two survivors immediately announcedthe collision, guiding rescuers to the crash site.

The names of the four crew members have not been publicly released.

Erickson Air-Crane and Chinook helicopters, as well as Canadair water-bombing aircraft are continuing to carry out firefighting efforts.

Early this week, France and Spain battled huge fires – two of the main ones were close to Madrid and Bordeaux respectively. Those have currentlybeen contained, though they are still burning. Some 300,000 people who were evacuated have started to return to their homes.

In Greece, media reports describe “a titanic battle” along a swathe of territory that includes Porto Germeno, Psatha, Fokida, Megara and Kefalonia, where more than 500 firefighters have been struggling to bring the situation under control over the past 72 hours.

Most wildfires are sparked by people, whether intentionally or accidentally, but climate change is making the conditions for them more common.

Last winter was mild and wet, encouraging vegetation growth, which has then dried out in successive hot spells, generating fuel for wildfires.