Four people were killed after a helicopter crashed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday. The victims included three Colombian tourists from the same family, according to Colombia’s consul in Rio de Janeiro. The helicopter crashed in Tijuca National Park, a large forested area with steep mountains and thick vegetation. The family was on a trip to celebrate a teenage girl's birthday.
Pilot and three women among the killed
Firefighters said the pilot and three women died in the crash. They also released pictures showing the burnt and smoking remains of the helicopter on a steep hillside that was difficult to reach.
Diana Paez, Colombia’s Consul General in Rio de Janeiro, told AFP that the three women were members of the same family. They had travelled to Rio to celebrate a girl’s 15th birthday.
The family had six members, but they had to split into two groups because the helicopter could carry only three passengers at a time. The girl’s grandmother, aunt and cousin were among those killed. The girl was scheduled to take another helicopter ride later with her father and his partner.
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The Colombian consulate helped Brazilian authorities identify the victims. The process was difficult because of the condition of the bodies.
The helicopter crashed near Vista Chinesa, a famous viewpoint inside the forest. The site features a Chinese-style pagoda and offers a panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro. Vista Chinesa was also shown in the 2011 animated movie Rio.
Second incident in weeks
The crash comes just weeks after another helicopter accident in Rio. In June, two helicopters collided, killing six people, including American singer Oliver Tree and Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim.
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Helicopter rides are popular among tourists visiting Rio, offering views of the city’s famous landmarks and coastline. Rio Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere said on X that he had asked Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency to increase monitoring of helicopter operations and ensure greater safety for passengers.