Seven people have died after a firefighting helicopter crashed in western Argentina while responding to a forest fire.
The Bell 412 helicopter went down on Wednesday in San Juan Province after losing contact with its base during a mission to assist firefighters battling a wildfire in neighbouring La Rioja Province.
San Juan Governor Marcelo Orrego confirmed the tragedy, expressing condolences to the victims’ families.
The victims included:
Firefighters
Police officers
Civil protection personnel
Emergency services said the helicopter disappeared from radar shortly after departing for the firefighting operation.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
The Bell 412 aircraft had been deployed to support efforts to contain wildfires in the region when the accident occurred.
