Four killed in helicopter crash in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro

A helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro has claimed the lives of four people, including three members of a Colombian family. The victims were reportedly on a sightseeing tour over the densely forested Tijuca National Park when the aircraft went down.

The Colombian consul in Brazil confirmed that the three women on board were part of a family visiting the city to celebrate a 15th birthday. The group of six had split into two for the helicopter ride, as the aircraft could only accommodate three passengers at a time. The deceased include the girl's grandmother, aunt, and cousin.

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My solidarity to the families of the victims of the helicopter accident that happened today near Vista Chinesa within the Tijuca National Park.

In the wake of the accident, Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere expressed his condolences and called for stricter regulations on helicopter flights, a popular tourist activity. He suggested a temporary suspension of such flights to implement new safety measures. The mayor stated he was in contact with Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and offered the city hall's full support for necessary actions.

This incident follows a previous fatal crash in June, where six people died when two helicopters collided mid-air over the western suburb of Recreio dos Bandeirantes. The growing frequency of helicopter tours offering aerial views of the city's landmarks has raised safety concerns among officials and residents.

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City Hall has requested that ANAC take immediate action to intensify oversight and ensure safety in helicopter flights that are circulating with increasing frequency in our city.