Helicopter operating in Samos crashes into sea

A helicopter that was taking part in an ongoing operation to control a wildfire on Samos, in the eastern Aegean, has crashed into the sea, off the island’s western coast.

A rescue team has been dispatched to locate the four-member crew. The Fire Service said the aircraft is a Soviet-made Mil Mi-8 medium twin-turbine helicopter that had been leased.

No further details were immediately available.

A total of 27 firemen four water-dropping aircraft and three helicopters had been sent to the forested area near the village of Palaiohori, where the blaze broke out earlier on Wednesday.