Four killed in helicopter crash in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro

A helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro's Tijuca National Park claimed the lives of four people on Saturday, according to Brazilian fire officials. Colombian tourists were among the victims, with local media reporting that three of the deceased were women from the South American country. The crash occurred in a mountainous area of the national park, a dense and difficult-to-access region.

The pilot and three women were killed in the incident, with their bodies found burned beyond recognition. Charred remains of the helicopter were spotted on a steep hillside, as captured by images released by the fire department.

The crash site was situated near Vista Chinesa, a replica Chinese pagoda located at a high altitude and known for offering panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro. The landmark had also been featured in the 2011 animated film Rio. This incident follows a similar tragedy less than two months prior, when two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro, resulting in six fatalities including American singer Oliver Tree and Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim.

Helicopter tours are a popular attraction for tourists visiting Rio de Janeiro, providing aerial views of the city's iconic landmarks and coastline. In response to the latest crash, Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere requested the National Civil Aviation Agency to intensify monitoring measures to ensure the safety of helicopter flights.