Six killed after two helicopters collide mid-air in Rio de Janeiro; video

At least six people were killed after two helicopters collided mid-air and crashed in western Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, triggering a major fire that spread to multiple vehicles on the ground, Brazilian firefighters said.According to news agency AFP, the accident occurred in the suburb of Recreio dos Bandeirantes in the western part of the city.“Reports indicate that the helicopters collided in mid-air and crashed into the parking lot of an electric car dealership, igniting a fire that engulfed at least 20 vehicles,” firefighters said in a statement.“At least six fatalities have been confirmed; all were crew members of the aircraft involved in the accident,” the statement added.

Crash sparks large fire

Images carried by local media showed thick black smoke billowing from the crash site as several vehicles caught fire following the impact.According to Brazilian digital news portal Mix Vale, the helicopters came down on land belonging to a deactivated church that had been leased by electric vehicle company BYD.One of the aircraft reportedly exploded on impact, with the resulting blaze spreading rapidly to parked electric vehicles and causing further explosions.The crash occurred in an area bounded by Avenida das Américas and the streets of Beth Lago and Rivadávia Campos, according to the report.

Emergency response launched

Fire department teams were dispatched to the scene shortly before 9 am local time and launched rescue and firefighting operations.As per Mix Vale, authorities closed a side lane of Avenida das Américas to facilitate emergency access and ensure public safety.Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control by around 10 am, preventing it from spreading further, the report said.Small aircraft accidents are relatively common in Brazil. Last month, a small plane crashed into the side of a building in the southeastern city of Belo Horizonte, killing both the pilot and co-pilot.The latest accident ranks among the deadliest aviation incidents in Rio de Janeiro in recent months.