At least four people have been killed in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro, including three Colombian women from the same family.
The aircraft was carrying a pilot and the three women when it crashed on Saturday near Vista Chinesa in Tijuca National Park, a densely forested and mountainous area on the edge of the city.
The passengers were reportedly taking a sightseeing flight over the park.
Diana Paez, Colombia’s consul general in Rio de Janeiro, said the women were part of a family that had travelled to the city to celebrate a girl’s 15th birthday.
The group of six had split up because the helicopter could only accommodate three passengers. The girl’s grandmother, aunt and cousin were killed in the crash.
Following the incident, Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere called for increased oversight of helicopter operations in the city and suggested sightseeing flights could be suspended temporarily while additional safety measures are introduced.
“My solidarity to the families of the victims of the helicopter accident that happened today near Vista Chinesa within the Tijuca National Park,” Cavaliere said.
He said the city had contacted Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency, ANAC, and requested immediate action to strengthen oversight of helicopter flights.
“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,” the mayor said.
“We place the entire apparatus of City Hall at the disposal of ANAC to support the measures and actions that may be necessary.”
Helicopter sightseeing flights have become a popular way for tourists to view Rio de Janeiro and its landmarks from the air, but the practice has also drawn growing safety concerns.
Six people were recently killed when two helicopters collided in midair over the western suburb of Recreio dos Bandeirantes on June 14.
