Evia, Central Greece – The pilot of a helicopter that crashed off the northern coast of Evia has been discovered deceased. Coastguard divers undertook the challenging task of retrieving the pilot’s body from a depth of 52 meters on Friday, marking a somber conclusion to the incident.
Initial assessments indicate that adverse weather conditions may have played a pivotal role in the unfortunate crash. Authorities are now diligently investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident to ascertain the precise cause.
The tragic incident involved an Agusta A109 helicopter that took off from Afidnes in Attica at 10:13 am, en route to Volos. Tragically, it disappeared from radar screens in the broader area of Agia Anna shortly before 11:00 am, raising questions about what transpired in the moments leading up to the crash.
Eyewitness accounts paint a distressing picture of the incident. One observer reported, “Something happened in the air that caused it to fall into the sea. It crashed at approximately 300 meters from the shore and it sank within 1.5 minutes. We quickly ran to the beach to see if we could find any evidence but nothing was found. It is lost in the sea.”
Another witness noted that the helicopter appeared to be “flying 5 meters above the surface of the sea, as if it was looking for something.” These reports provide chilling insights into the tragic events that unfolded.
The situation in Evia has been further compounded by the effects of storm “Elias,” which has unleashed torrential rains and thunderstorms across Greece. Volos in Thessaly and northern Evia have been particularly hard-hit, with significant flooding causing widespread disruption.
Of concern is the closure of Evia’s primary road axis, connecting the island’s south and north, due to a landslide at Derveni in the north. Additionally, fallen trees have disrupted power lines, resulting in power outages and water supply issues in several areas.
In response to the crisis, a dedicated team of fifty firefighters, supported by twenty-eight fire engines and personnel from two forest operations units (EMODE), including one emergency rescue team (EMAK) unit, have been tirelessly working to rescue individuals trapped by floodwaters and address the aftermath of landslides.
As more landslides were reported in the villages of Istiea and Pefki in northern Evia, the situation remains fluid, and emergency response efforts continue in full force.
