Seven people died when a Bell 412 helicopter crashed in Ischigualasto Provincial Park in the San Juan province of western Argentina. The accident occurred on a Wednesday.
The deceased included Carlos Heredia, the Civil Defense Director of San Juan, and German Videla, the Deputy Provincial Police Chief. Also killed were Ruben Castro and Jorge Carbajal, both Police Chiefs from the Fire Department. Governor Marcelo Orrego stated that there were no survivors from the crash.
The helicopter was being used for training and was scheduled to support efforts against a forest fire in La Rioja. Another aircraft spotted the wreckage and reported it. The report of the last contact at 10:26 local time remains unverified.
The cause of the crash is unknown. A technical investigation has been launched by civil aviation and security units to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Officials express condolences
National Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva also expressed condolences on social media. She offered her sympathies to the families, friends, loved ones and colleagues of those who lost their lives in the helicopter crash in San Juan.
The San Juan local government declared three days of mourning, with flags to be flown at half-mast. The same source indicates that Ischigualasto Provincial Park suspended all activities on Wednesday due to the accident.