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Seven people have died after a helicopter crashed in San Juan province, Argentina, during a training exercise focused on fighting wildfires. The aircraft, a Bell 412 utility helicopter, reportedly lost contact with air traffic control shortly after takeoff while flying in mountainous terrain. Authorities confirmed that weather conditions were suitable at the time, but the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
The victims included senior emergency officials such as Deputy Police Chief Marcelo Videla, Fire Chief Rubén Castro, Civil Protection Director Carlos Heredia, and Deputy Fire Chief Jorge Carbajal. The team was participating in a course organised by Argentina’s National Fire Fighting Agency to improve emergency response capabilities against forest fires.
Rescue teams faced difficulties reaching the crash site because of the remote and rugged mountainous location, with responders reportedly trekking several kilometres to access the wreckage. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine what caused the fatal accident.
