Six people were killed after two helicopters collided in mid-air over Rio de Janeiro on Sunday morning and crashed in the western part of the city, authorities said. According to the Rio de Janeiro Military Fire Department, all six people on board the two aircraft lost their lives in the accident. Emergency teams rushed to the scene soon after the crash and launched rescue and firefighting operations. The incident sent thick black smoke into the sky and caused panic in the surrounding area as residents watched the aftermath unfold.
Helicopter crashes into car dealership
Officials said one of the helicopters crashed directly onto a car dealership where several electric vehicles were parked. The impact triggered a major fire, with multiple vehicles catching flames. Videos shared on social media showed burning cars, heavy smoke and emergency sirens as firefighters worked to control the blaze.
Witnesses also captured images of helicopter wreckage scattered across the dealership premises. In one video, a man could be seen approaching the damaged aircraft with a fire extinguisher in an attempt to prevent the flames from spreading further.
Authorities said the fire was eventually brought under control before it could spread to nearby residential buildings. Officials noted that the situation could have been far worse given the location of the crash. Parts of the wreckage were scattered over a wide area, with debris reportedly landing on nearby buildings and terraces.
One of the helicopters reportedly burst into flames after hitting the ground, causing secondary explosions. The second aircraft came down upside down but did not catch fire. Emergency responders cordoned off the area while rescue teams searched the crash site and assessed the damage.
Foreign nationals reportedly among victims
Rio de Janeiro Deputy Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere said foreign nationals were among those on board one of the helicopters. However, authorities have not yet released details about the victims' identities or nationalities.
Officials are currently working to identify all those who died in the crash and inform their families. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine what caused the two helicopters to collide.
Fire services officials said it remains too early to establish exactly how the accident unfolded. Investigators are expected to examine flight records, videos and other evidence to piece together the sequence of events.
