A fire-fighting helicopter crashed into the sea off the island of Samos on Wednesday afternoon. Four crew member missing. Big Search and Rescue Operation underway.
According to preliminary information, the helicopter, type ER-MH4, crashed while it was attempting to collect water from the sea.
The helicopter was participating in the wildfire in Palaiochori village of the island in the eastern Aegean Sea.
It crashed some 300 meters west off the beach of Plaka near Agios Minas
According to the Fire Department, it is a private helicopter hired to participate in the extinguishing of the fire.
State broadcaster ERT reports that the 3-member crew are foreign nationals – 1 from Romania, 2 from Moldavia – and one Greek translation. The aircraft was hired from Ukraine.
Local media report that there was powerful winds blowing with intensity of 6 to 7 Beaufort in the area.
ERT reported that two out of four missing persons have been rescued.
One of them is reportedly onboard of a Super Puma helicopter that took off from the neighboring islands of Chios to joint the SAR operation, the second person is onboard of a Coast Guard vessel.
According to local media, the first person was rescued by a fishing boat and then handed over to the Coast guard.
One of the rescued is the Romanian pilot of the crew, ANT1 reports.
According to official statement, the helicopter took off from Samos airport to join the fire-fighting operation at 4:40 Wednesday afternoon.
The crash took place about an hour later.
It was hired by the Fire Service, the statement added.
To be continued….
Source: Keeptalkinggreece.com
