6 killed after helicopters collide in Rio de Janeiro, crashing into car park

At least six people died in Brazil on Sunday after two helicopters collided in western Rio de Janeiro, firefighters said.

The helicopters crashed into the car park of an electric car showroom, igniting a fire that engulfed at least 20 cars.

A statement from firefighters said initial reports pointed to a mid-air collision, adding “six fatalities have been confirmed, all were crew members of the aircraft involved in the accident”.

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere said there were “foreign nationals on board one of the aircraft”, without giving further details.

Police said American alternative singer and internet personality Oliver Tree, who was on a world tour, is listed as one of six people on the manifest shared by a police source, who said the victims could not be formally identified yet as they had been badly burned in the crash.

The passengers alongside the singer included a Brazilian music producer, Argentine video director and Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim, known online as “Gaspi”.