Rio de Janeiro: Four people were killed after a helicopter crashed in a forested area of Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, Brazilian fire officials said.
The helicopter went down around 11.11 am local time in the Vista Chinesa area of Alto da Boa Vista. Firefighters and rescue teams rushed to the site and found the wreckage in dense forest.
The aircraft caught fire following the crash, but firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control. The victims included the pilot and three Colombian women belonging to the same family. Authorities have not yet officially released their identities.
The incident has renewed concerns over helicopter safety in Rio de Janeiro, following another fatal accident in the city in June. Two helicopters collided in that incident, leaving six people dead.
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes expressed condolences to the families of those killed and urged the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) to strengthen safety measures and monitoring of helicopter operations.
The mayor’s appeal comes amid concerns over the growing number of helicopter flights in the city, particularly in areas with challenging terrain.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Saturday’s crash, including the possible cause of the accident and the aircraft’s operating conditions at the time of the incident.
