Video: Two helicopters collide in Rio de Janeiro, killing Gaspi, Lucas Vignale, and 4 others
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Two helicopters collided in mid-air over a busy avenue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, resulting in six fatalities.
- Among the deceased were Argentine social media influencer Gaspar Prim Dรญaz, known as Gaspi, and Argentine director Lucas Vignale.
- The crash caused a significant fire, with one helicopter exploding upon impact and emergency services quickly responding to contain the blaze.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil โ A catastrophic mid-air collision between two helicopters over a popular avenue in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday morning claimed the lives of six people, including two Argentine nationals.
The accident occurred at the intersection of Rua Beth Lago and Rua Rivadรกvia Campo. One of the helicopters, identified by its registration PP-MAC, exploded upon hitting the ground in a parking lot filled with vehicles, igniting a substantial fire. Firefighters were immediately dispatched to the scene to manage the blaze and prevent further escalation.
Among the victims were Argentine social media influencer Gaspar Prim Dรญaz, widely known as Gaspi, and Argentine director Lucas Vignale. Gaspi, who was 23 years old, had amassed a significant following of two million across his social media accounts, where he was known for his distinctive blend of bizarre humor and street interviews.
Other individuals confirmed to have perished in the crash include American singer Oliver Tree, Brazilian music producer Lucas Brito Chaves (also known as Lucas Frota), and the pilot Alexandre Souza. The second aircraft reportedly carried only one passenger, Charles Marsillac, according to local reports.
Gaspar Prim Dรญaz, born in La Plata, Argentina, on December 28, 2002, had gained popularity for his ironic and often uncomfortable street interviews, frequently using a black microphone wrapped in electrical tape. Despite his public persona, reports suggest he privately struggled with mental health issues, which he alluded to in a personal video titled "La vuelta de Gaspi" released shortly before his death.
Originally published by La Naciรณn in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.