Helicopter crashes on Greek island of Sifnos – three dead

Rescue workers recovered the bodies from the sea after the wreckage had been located near the coast. According to reports, the victims are being identified through official channels.

Background on the couple

According to reports by the "Telegraph," the British couple had only recently married and said they were on the island for vacation purposes. Details about the trip or the reason for the helicopter flight were not initially known.

Residents and witnesses reported a loud bang shortly after the helicopter had taken off. The aircraft crashed toward the sea without a distress call being issued.

Investigations underway

The news sparked dismay on the small island. Sifnos is one of the smaller Cycladic islands and has around 2,600 permanent residents according to Greek statistics; in the summer months, the number of people present rises significantly due to tourists.

The British Embassy in Athens said it is in contact with local authorities to identify and inform the relatives of the deceased British nationals. Consular assistance has been initiated.

Consular assistance

Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing. Greek media pointed out that weather and visibility conditions at the time of the incident still need to be examined.

The responsible aviation authority announced that it would evaluate the helicopter's flight data recorder. Only after that will a decision be made on possible consequences for the operator.