At least four people, including the pilot and three Colombian women, died when a sightseeing helicopter crashed near Vista Chinesa in Rio's Tijuca National Park. The women were relatives who had traveled to celebrate a girl's 15th birthday; the larger party split because the helicopter could only hold three passengers. Rio's mayor has urged ANAC to intensify oversight and suggested temporarily suspending tourist helicopter flights while safety measures are reviewed. The accident renews concerns after a June 14 mid-air collision over Recreio dos Bandeirantes that killed six people.
Four Dead After Sightseeing Helicopter Crash Near Vista Chinesa in Rio de Janeiro
Firefighters attend the scene of a deadly helicopter crash in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, on August 8 [Handout/Rio de Janeiro State Military Fire Department via Reuters]
At least four people were killed when a sightseeing helicopter crashed near Vista Chinesa in Rio de Janeiro's Tijuca National Park on Saturday, officials said. The victims included the pilot and three Colombian women who were traveling together.
The helicopter was on a tourist flight over the densely forested, mountainous park when it went down close to the lookout topped by a small bamboo pagoda. Tijuca National Park is among Rio's most visited attractions, offering views of Christ the Redeemer and sweeping panoramas of the city.
Diana Paez, Colombia's consul general in Rio de Janeiro, told AFP the three women were relatives who had traveled to Rio to celebrate a girl's 15th birthday. The larger group had split because the helicopter could only carry three passengers; the girl's grandmother, aunt and cousin were killed in the crash.
Rio Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere expressed his condolences and called for tightened oversight of tourist helicopter flights, suggesting they could be suspended 'for a week or two' while new safety measures are reviewed. City Hall said it has been in contact with Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and offered municipal support for intensified inspections.
'My solidarity to the families of the victims of the helicopter accident that happened today near Vista Chinesa within the Tijuca National Park,' Cavaliere wrote on social media.
Helicopter tours have grown in popularity as a way to view Rio's landmarks from the air, a trend that has prompted increasing safety concerns. On June 14, six people were killed when two helicopters collided mid-air over the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood, an accident that has already raised calls for improved regulation and oversight.
What Authorities Are Doing
City Hall said it has formally requested that ANAC intensify oversight and take immediate action to ensure the safety of helicopter operations, as flights have become more frequent around the city. Investigations into the cause of the Saturday crash are ongoing, and local authorities have not yet released details about the aircraft's operator or the accident's technical circumstances.
The investigation will likely examine weather conditions, pilot qualifications, maintenance records and flight permissions. Relatives of the victims have been notified, and consular officials are assisting the family of the Colombian nationals.
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