Three killed in helicopter crash on Greek island of Sifnos

A private helicopter crashed on the Greek island of Sifnos on Monday evening, killing all three people on board, according to Greek fire service officials and local authorities. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from a helipad in the Tholos area, sparking a fire that required an emergency response.

The Bell 206 helicopter, reportedly operated as a private charter, crashed at approximately 6 p.m. local time on August 17, 2026. The Hellenic Fire Services Operations Center was alerted to the crash at 6:17 p.m. The aircraft came down near an inhabited area close to the Holy Monastery of Panagia Vrysi but did not strike any homes. The impact ignited a fire on a hillside, which local firefighters worked to extinguish.

The victims were the pilot and two passengers. Local reports identified the pilot as Giorgos Raikos and the passengers as a British couple, Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert, who were reportedly on their honeymoon. Authorities had not immediately confirmed these identities. Rescue teams recovered all three bodies from the wreckage, with some reports indicating they suffered severe burns in the post-crash fire.

A rescue team from the nearby island of Syros arrived...