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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Disasters & Emergencies

Colombian family among four killed in Rio helicopter crash

From Daily Star · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Four people, including three Colombian tourists from the same family, died when a helicopter crashed in Rio de Janeiro's Tijuca National Park.
  • The victims were part of a group celebrating a 15th birthday; the birthday girl was scheduled for a later flight.
  • The crash occurred in a dense, hard-to-reach area, complicating rescue efforts, and prompted calls for increased helicopter flight safety monitoring.

A helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro's Tijuca National Park on Saturday claimed the lives of four people, including three members of a Colombian family. The pilot and three women died instantly, their bodies burned in the wreckage found on a steep, inaccessible hillside. The dense vegetation of the national park made the recovery efforts extremely difficult.

The three women were part of a larger family group visiting Rio to celebrate a girl's 15th birthday. According to Diana Paez, Colombia's Consul General in Rio de Janeiro, the group of six had split up for the helicopter ride, as the aircraft could only carry three passengers at a time. The deceased included the birthday girl's grandmother, aunt, and cousin. The birthday girl herself was expected to take a second flight later with her father and his partner.

The birthday girl's grandmother, aunt and cousin died in the crash, and she was supposed to take a second flight later on, with her father and his partner.

— Diana PaezDiana Paez, the Consul General of Colombia in Rio de Janeiro, provided details about the family group involved in the helicopter crash.

Colombian consulate officials provided assistance to Brazilian authorities in identifying the victims, a process made challenging by the condition of the bodies. The helicopter went down near Vista Chinesa, a landmark known for its scenic views. This incident follows a previous tragedy in June when two helicopters collided over Rio, resulting in six fatalities, including notable figures like American singer Oliver Tree and Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim.

Helicopter tours are a popular tourist activity in Rio, offering breathtaking views of the city's famous landmarks and natural beauty. In light of the recent crash, Rio's mayor, Eduardo Cavaliere, has requested Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency to enhance monitoring of helicopter flights to ensure passenger safety.

The pilot and three women "burned to death"

— FirefightersFirefighters confirmed the fatalities and the condition of the victims after the helicopter crashed.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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