Firefighting helicopter crashes into Aoos Springs Lake, crew rescued
Greece
Fri, 26 Jun 2026 7:43 GMT
Bell helicopter goes down during wildfire operation in northern Greece.
A Bell helicopter leased by the Greek Fire Service crashed into Aoos Springs Lake in the Pindus mountain range on Thursday while taking part in a firefighting operation near the "Avgo" area in the regional unit of Grevena.
The Fire Service said both people on board—a Greek pilot and a foreign national serving as a liaison officer—were rescued safely.
The helicopter had taken off from Ioannina Airport to assist efforts to contain a forest fire that broke out around midday in the Valia Kalda area. Authorities said the blaze is believed to have been sparked by a lightning strike.
