Six killed in mid-air collision of helicopters over Rio de Janeiro | Video

Six Killed in Mid-Air Helicopter Crash Over Rio de Janeiro | Video

Six killed in mid air collision – A mid-air collision between two helicopters in western Rio de Janeiro claimed the lives of at least six individuals on Sunday, according to Brazil’s fire department, AFP reported. The incident involved a mid-air collision between two helicopters, which then crashed into the parking lot of an electric car dealership, igniting a fire that spread to over 20 vehicles.

Fire service spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Fabio Contreiras described the scene at the crash site, emphasizing that the exact cause of the collision remained under investigation. “Parts of the aircraft are scattered hundreds of meters away, so the information we have is still very preliminary. We really need to get the recordings and videos to understand exactly what happened,” he stated.

“At least six fatalities have been confirmed, all were crew members of the aircraft involved in the accident,” the statement added. Images from local media revealed thick black smoke rising from the car dealership, where multiple cars were engulfed in flames.

The crash occurred in the western suburb of Recreio dos Bandeirantes. Contreiras noted that the crash site’s location in a parking area had limited the number of casualties. “Given the surrounding residences, the accident could have been far more tragic,” he explained, as reported by AFP.

Challenges in Firefighting

Contreiras highlighted the difficulties in extinguishing fires involving electric vehicles, which contain lithium-ion batteries. “When this type of battery catches fire, it releases highly toxic gases and intensifies both the temperature and the severity of the blaze. Extinguishing a fire in one of these vehicles requires three to four times the amount of water needed for a fire in a standard car,” he said.

Brazil’s Aviation Safety Record

Small aircraft accidents are relatively common in Brazil, the world’s fifth-largest country by area. In May, a light aircraft crashed into a building in Belo Horizonte, resulting in the deaths of both the pilot and co-pilot. AFP reported that prior to this incident, 84 aviation accidents had been recorded in Brazil in 2026, causing 25 fatalities.