Three people were killed after a private helicopter crashed on the Greek island of Sifnos on Monday, according to the Greek fire service.
The aircraft came down near homes in the Tholos area of the popular tourist island, which is part of the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea. The helicopter caught fire after the crash, prompting emergency teams to rush to the scene.
The fire service said it received notification of the accident shortly after 18:15 local time. Firefighters and rescue crews were dispatched to the area to deal with the flames and search for the people aboard the aircraft.
The three victims were reportedly a Greek pilot and a British couple who had recently married. Authorities had not immediately released further details about their identities.
The cause of the crash was not known. Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances of the flight, the condition of the helicopter and possible technical or other factors that may have contributed to the accident.
Video footage circulating on social media appeared to show flames and thick plumes of dark smoke rising from a hillside at the crash site. Emergency personnel were seen responding to the area as the fire spread around the wreckage.
The crash occurred on an island that attracts large numbers of visitors during the summer season. Sifnos is known for its beaches, villages and traditional architecture and is among the destinations visited by tourists travelling through the Cyclades.
The presence of homes close to the crash site raised concerns about the potential for the accident to cause additional casualties or property damage. Initial reports indicated that the helicopter came down close to residential areas, although no further deaths were reported.
Greek authorities are expected to conduct a full investigation into the accident. Investigators will seek to establish the helicopter’s route, weather conditions at the time and whether mechanical problems or other circumstances played a role.
Deadly helicopter accidents are relatively uncommon but can be difficult to investigate because aircraft wreckage can be scattered or heavily damaged by fire. Officials will likely examine the wreckage and available flight information as part of the inquiry.
The accident adds to concerns over aviation safety during the busy summer travel period, when Greece’s islands see a significant increase in visitors and air traffic.
Authorities had not announced whether flights or other aviation activity around Sifnos would be affected following the crash.
