Wednesday, August 19, 2026 - Three people have been killed after a private Bell 206 helicopter crashed on the popular Greek holiday island of Sifnos on Monday evening.
The aircraft went down shortly after takeoff near the Tholos area, killing the pilot and two passengers and sparking a fire at the crash site. Emergency crews recovered all three bodies, while no homes were reportedly hit despite the crash occurring near an inhabited area.
The victims were identified as Greek pilot Giorgos Raikos and British newlyweds Alexander Cromie, 31, and Marie Ebert, 30, who were reportedly honeymooning in Greece.
The couple had been travelling to Sifnos when the helicopter crashed shortly before its scheduled landing. Witnesses reported unusual noises before the aircraft went down, while investigators are examining a possible mechanical failure as one line of inquiry.
Greek aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the crash, with the aircraft and its final moments now under scrutiny. Authorities have reportedly grounded Bell 206 helicopters as a precaution while investigators work to establish what caused the fatal accident.
The tragedy has cast a shadow over the busy summer tourism season on Sifnos and raised fresh questions about the safety of private helicopter travel to Greece's popular islands.
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