Two firefighting helicopters have collided while battling wildfires

Two firefighting helicopters have collided while battling wildfires west of Athens, prompting a major search and rescue operation.

The Greek fire service said each aircraft was carrying a two-person crew when the mid-air collision occurred.

Here are the main developments:

• Two helicopters crashed into each other earlier this afternoon while tackling a large wildfire in mainland Greece, northwest of Athens.
• It happened in Psatha, in the Attica region of the country.
• Two people on board one of the helicopters, a Greek national and a Danish pilot, died.
• Two people on board the other aircraft, a Greek national and a Briton, survived and were taken to hospital.
• Video footage showed the two aircraft flying in formation close to each other at low altitude, before colliding as they crossed paths. One of the helicopters was seen exploding in flames and falling to the ground, while the other managed to fly off.
• An investigation has been launched to establish the cause of the crash.
• The large blaze in the area has destroyed more than 100 homes. Firefighters were still battling to bring it under control this evening.
• The Greek fire service said 220 wildfires had been reported across the country in the past week.
• Firefighters in France and Spain have continued to battle wildfires this weekend, although most of the fires in Spain are now said to be largely under control.