The reasons that led to the forced water landing remain unknown at this time – The helicopter was located at a depth of 15 meters, thanks to sonar deployed by a tugboat.

A video showing the moment a firefighting helicopter plunged into the Gulf of Elefsina has surfaced.

The helicopter was attempting to collect water, and a second helicopter was flying at a higher altitude behind it for the same water-replenishment operation. For reasons still unknown, the helicopter was forced to make an emergency water landing.

The aircraft, which was operating under contract, was engaged in firefighting efforts near the area of “Imeros Topos” in Aspropyrgos, combating a blaze in low vegetation.

Watch the video released by the local daily newspaper Thriasio, showing the moment the helicopter hits the water:

Documentary Footage of the Helicopter Crash in Elefsina

According to sources from Thriasio, the helicopter was found at a depth of 15 meters, and its exact location was pinpointed using sonar equipment deployed by a tugboat.

Watch the related images and footage from the incident.

Recovery Operation Completed

The recovery operation of the firefighting helicopter that had submerged in the sea was successfully completed late Tuesday evening off the coast of Elefsina, where the emergency landing had taken place.

The Hellenic Coast Guard released a video showing the recovery of the aircraft from the seabed.

Timeline of Events

On Tuesday afternoon, the helicopter was collecting water while another helicopter followed behind at a higher altitude for the same task. The cause of the forced water landing remains undetermined.

The helicopter, which had been leased for firefighting duties, was operating in the Imeros Topos area of Aspropyrgos, where a wildfire had broken out in low vegetation.

A coast guard officer quickly boarded a speedboat belonging to a private boating school and rushed to the scene. He rescued all three people on board – two Americans and a Greek liaison officer. They were then transferred to a Coast Guard vessel that arrived shortly after. The survivors were taken to a nearby beach, where an ambulance was waiting.

All three individuals are in good health. At first glance, they appear to have only minor abrasions, but they were transported to Attikon General Hospital for a thorough medical examination.