Baghdad: A private helicopter crashed Monday evening off the Greek island of Sifnos, killing three people, according to firefighters. An alarm was immediately raised on the island, part of the Cyclades archipelago, a popular tourist destination.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, firefighters reported that a fire broke out after the crash of the Greek-registered helicopter, and the bodies of the pilot and a couple were found at the scene. The helicopter reportedly crashed into the sea seconds after taking off from a nearby airstrip.

The Kathimerini newspaper stated that the pilot of the Bell helicopter had only been working for two months. The cause of the accident remains unknown. In early August, two helicopters involved in fighting a large fire west of Athens collided, killing two crew members.