Firefighting helicopter crashes into Greece's Lake Aoos

A firefighting helicopter crashed sideways into Lake Aoos near Metsovo, Greece, on Thursday, 25 June 2026. The aircraft sank in three metres of water, prompting an immediate recovery operation that has been hampered by strong, gusty winds. Divers were able to retrieve the main rotor (propeller) and placed nets and containment booms to protect the lake’s delicate ecosystem.

The remainder of the helicopter remains on the lake bottom. Recovery teams plan to inflate airbags, carefully tow the aircraft to a point where a crane can lift it, and then transport it to a police storage facility in Ioannina for expert analysis. The investigation will determine the cause of the crash, after which the aircraft is expected to be sent to the United States for further examination.