Six people were killed on June 14, 2026, when two helicopters collided in mid-air and crashed in the western part of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.According to local firefighters, all of the victims were crew members aboard the two aircraft.

The helicopters fell into the parking area of an electric vehicle dealership in the suburb of Recreio dos Bandeirantes, sparking a major fire that spread to at least 20 vehicles.Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene and worked to contain the blaze while investigating the circumstances of the accident.Initial reports suggest the helicopters collided before crashing, but authorities stated that the exact sequence of events remains unclear.Investigators plan to review recordings and videos to determine what caused the collision.Rescue workers found one helicopter engulfed in flames among the damaged vehicles, with five victims on board.A second helicopter landed approximately 100 metres away and contained only the pilot, who also died.Rio de Janeiro officials reported that foreign nationals were aboard one of the helicopters, although no further details were immediately released.Firefighters noted that the crash could have resulted in a much higher death toll because the area is surrounded by residential buildings.

They also highlighted the difficulty of extinguishing fires involving electric vehicles, as lithium-ion batteries can generate intense heat and release toxic gases.The accident adds to a series of aviation incidents in Brazil during 2026.

According to the country's aviation accident investigation agency, dozens of aircraft accidents have already been recorded this year, resulting in multiple fatalities.