Six killed in mid-air helicopter collision in Rio de Janeiro

On June 14, 2026, two helicopters collided in mid-air over the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The fire department confirmed six fatalities, all of whom were on board the aircraft. One helicopter crashed into an electric vehicle dealership, destroying at least 20 cars and sparking a large fire. According to fire department spokesperson Fabio Contreiras, one helicopter carried five victims, while the second helicopter, which crashed about 100 meters away, carried only the pilot, who also died. Mayor Eduardo Cavalieri confirmed that foreign nationals were among the passengers, though identities remain unverified by official sources. While some reports mention the American singer Oliver Tree as a passenger, this detail has not been formally confirmed by authorities. The exact cause of the collision remains under investigation.