Photo: Shutterstock A midair collision involving two helicopters in Rio de Janeiro left six people dead and triggered a large fire that destroyed dozens of vehicles on Sunday morning (June 15, 2026), according to the Rio de Janeiro State Military Fire Brigade.
Emergency crews were called to the scene at around 9 a.m. after the aircraft collided above Avenida das Américas near the Playground of the Flags in the city's southwest zone.
Photo: ShutterstockAccording to authorities, the helicopters crashed after reportedly colliding in the air before falling into the parking lot of an electric vehicle dealership. The impact sparked a major fire that quickly spread through the lot, engulfing at least 20 vehicles.
Firefighters said their rapid response helped prevent the blaze from spreading further and damaging additional vehicles and nearby property.
The Military Fire Brigade confirmed that six people were killed in the accident. All of the victims were crew members aboard the two helicopters. Their bodies were transferred to the Afrânio Peixoto Legal Medical Institute in central Rio de Janeiro.
Officials said the formal identification process will be carried out by the Civil Police and forensic specialists at the medical institute.
Images from the scene showed extensive fire damage in the dealership parking area as firefighters worked to extinguish the flames and secure the crash site.
A large emergency response was launched, involving 50 firefighters and 15 vehicles. Initial crews from the local fire station were joined by specialized teams from the Special Operations Group and the corporation's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Coordination unit.
In a statement, the Military Fire Brigade expressed condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
Authorities have not yet released information about the identities of the victims or the helicopters involved.
Investigators will now work to determine what caused the collision. Aviation authorities and other competent agencies are expected to examine flight records, weather conditions, maintenance histories, and other factors as part of the investigation.
The accident is one of the deadliest helicopter incidents reported in Rio de Janeiro in recent years and has raised fresh questions about air traffic safety in one of Brazil's busiest urban regions.