Four killed in Rio helicopter crash at Tijuca National Park

Four people were killed on Saturday, August 8, 2026, when a helicopter crashed in a forested and mountainous area of Rio de Janeiro's Tijuca National Park, according to Brazilian fire officials. The crash occurred at approximately 11:11 a.m. local time in the Vista Chinesa area of Alto da Boa Vista, a well-known landmark within the park.

Emergency teams responded to the scene and located the wreckage on a steep hillside covered in dense vegetation, which made access difficult. Firefighters reported that the helicopter came down and was engulfed in flames. The victims, who died in the fire, were identified as the pilot and three female passengers. Brazilian media reported that the three women were Colombian nationals and members of the same family. Authorities had not yet formally released the identities of the victims.

Images from the fire department showed the charred remains of the aircraft on the slope, with smoke rising from the site. The Vista Chinesa area is known for its panoramic views of the city and features a Chinese-style pagoda. It also appeared in the 2011 animated film "Rio."

In response to the accident, Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavalieri expressed condolences...