Four people were killed when a helicopter crashed during a family trip to Rio de Janeiro to celebrate a girl's 15th birthday. Three Colombian women from the same family died along with the pilot after the aircraft came down near Vista Chinesa in Tijuca National Park on Saturday.
Family split into two groups
The family had traveled to the Brazilian city for the birthday celebration and had split into two groups because the helicopter could only carry three passengers, according to Colombia's consul general in Rio de Janeiro. Diana Paez told AFP that the girl's grandmother, aunt, and cousin were the three passengers on board when it crashed.
They had been taking a sightseeing flight over Tijuca National Park, a mountainous and densely forested area on the edge of Rio that is popular with visitors. The crash happened near Vista Chinesa, a lookout point marked by a bamboo-style pagoda offering views across the city.
Mayor calls for tighter oversight
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere called for tighter oversight of helicopter flights in the city and suggested sightseeing trips could be temporarily suspended while further safety measures are introduced. He said: "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 had been in contact with Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) following the crash. He added: "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. We place the entire apparatus of City Hall at the disposal of ANAC to support the measures and actions that may be necessary."
The mayor also suggested helicopter flights could potentially be suspended "for a week or two" while new safety measures are put in place.
