Two pilots die after plane crashes whilst trying to battle Greece wildfires
Two pilots have died after their plane crashed as they fought the devastating wildfires on the Greek island of Evia, officials say.
The plane’s pilots – 34-year-old Cdr Christos Moulas and his co-pilot, 27-year-old Pericles Stefanidis, died after their water-bombing plane clipped a tree and crashed whilst battling a forest fire near Platanistos.
Wildfires have sprung up across Europe as heatwaves take hold.
Greek TV showed the Canadair plane flying low to drop water on a fire before turning sharply into a hillside and bursting into flames.
The plane was amongst at least three other aircraft and about 100 firefighters tackling fires on Evia.
Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said the pilots lost their lives “in the line of duty… while attempting to protect the lives and property of citizens, as well as the environment of our country”.
