Fatal Helicopter Crash Claims Three Lives on Sifnos
Private air taxi carrying London couple and pilot crashed near landing pad, sparking an official inquiry.
Callum Smith
A private helicopter crashed on the Greek island of Sifnos, killing all three on board.
Three bodies were recovered from the crash site on Monday afternoon; two victims were found in the wreckage, while the third lay a short distance away, Sifnos' deputy mayor claimed.
A fire erupted after the crash, extinguished by Monday evening. The couple, believed to be in their early 30s, lived in London and reportedly took the helicopter from Markopoulo near Athens to Sifnos.
CCTV footage shows the aircraft spiralling out of control. The crash occurred near houses and a monastery, with Sifnos' deputy mayor claiming there was almost "nothing left" of the aircraft.
It experienced mechanical failure in the air – residents say it made a loud, strange noise, like military aircraft.
Manolis Fountoulakis stated, "It experienced mechanical failure in the air – residents say it made a loud, strange noise, like military aircraft." Residents reported a loud, strange noise, with the helicopter reportedly making a strange sound before impact.
Greek police suggested a mechanical fault may have caused the helicopter to crash, while one well-placed source claimed the helicopter may have experienced engine failure. Greece's ministry of infrastructure and transport coordinates the inquiry.
The National Organisation for the Investigation of Air and Railway Accidents and Transport Safety has launched an investigation. The Foreign Office maintains contact with local authorities, providing consular support.
This incident follows another fatal helicopter collision earlier this month, where two firefighters were killed battling wildfires west of Athens.