Date: August 2, 2026
By Kimberly Wilson
ATHENS, Greece — Europe's worsening heatwave and prolonged drought continue to fuel devastating wildfires and strain critical infrastructure, with two firefighters killed in a helicopter collision in Greece while Hungary prepared to shut down its only nuclear power plant because record-low water levels in the Danube River have left it without sufficient cooling water. The twin crises underscore the growing impact of extreme weather across the continent.
In Greece, tragedy struck as two firefighting helicopters collided while battling a fast-moving wildfire near Psatha, west of Athens. The crash killed a Greek pilot and a Danish crew member, while another Greek and a British crew member survived and were rescued. Initial reports suggest the helicopters may have clipped each other's rotor blades while conducting water-dropping operations over the blaze.
The wildfire, which authorities believe may have been sparked by electrical conductors connected to wind turbines, spread rapidly due to strong winds and dry conditions. Greek police detained several people as part of an investigation into possible negligence related to the fire's origin. Evacuation orders were issued for communities near Megara and on the island of Kefalonia, where separate wildfires also threatened homes and businesses.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed condolences to the victims' families and praised emergency crews working under extremely dangerous conditions. He acknowledged that the combination of intense heat, drought, and strong winds has created one of the country's most challenging wildfire seasons in recent years.
Meanwhile, neighboring France continued battling major wildfires after shifting winds changed the direction of several blazes in the Var region and near Carcassonne, forcing new evacuations and road closures. In Spain, firefighters largely brought several major fires under control, although officials warned that flare-ups remain possible because of persistent hot and dry weather.
In Hungary, the prolonged drought has triggered a separate emergency. Prime Minister Peter Magyar warned that the country faces "critical" days as the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, which normally supplies about half of Hungary's electricity, is being forced to shut down because the Danube River has fallen to historically low levels, leaving insufficient water to cool the reactors safely.
The Hungarian government has urged households and businesses to voluntarily reduce electricity consumption, resulting in a reported 400-megawatt reduction in peak demand. Officials warned that additional emergency measures, including mandatory restrictions for major industrial consumers, could be introduced if the energy crisis worsens. The drought has also disrupted shipping, tourism, and water supplies in more than 100 municipalities across the country.
Scientists say the combination of prolonged heatwaves, minimal rainfall, and stronger winds is increasing both wildfire risks and pressure on water-dependent infrastructure across Europe. Governments throughout the region continue to mobilize emergency resources while urging residents to conserve water, reduce electricity consumption where possible, and follow evacuation orders in areas threatened by rapidly spreading fires.