A wind-driven wildfire continued to tear across western Attica on Sunday, more than 48 hours after it began, as crews battled flames near Megara following a deadly collision between two firefighting helicopters.
Two crew members were killed when the aircraft collided during operations over western Attica on Sunday.
Footage shows firefighters and volunteers working side by side to beat back the flames, with aircraft supporting the operation.
Volunteer Dimitris Tosoulas said: “We, as citizens and volunteers, we use all our forces to contribute to the effort. We work hand in hand with the mayor and the fire brigade. However, we have to admit that the fire has gone out of control.”
The blaze started on Friday near Agios Vasileios before sweeping through the coastal town of Porto Germeno and advancing east towards Megara.
Nearly 500 firefighters were deployed across Attica and Boeotia, supported by volunteers and crews from France and Romania. Strong winds repeatedly restricted aerial operations, while authorities ordered the evacuation of the Megara industrial estate and several nearby settlements.
Greek state broadcaster ERT reported that around 200 homes had been destroyed or damaged and roughly 10,000 hectares of forest and scrub had burned. Final official damage assessments had yet to be released.
Source: Viory
