Seven killed in helicopter crash in Argentia

Seven people died when a firefighting helicopter in San Juan province crashed on Wednesday, a local official said, Report informs via Buenos Aires Times.

The Bell 412 aircraft was used to combat forest fires in Ischigualasto natural park, a nature reserve in the western province located some 1,200 kilometers from Buenos Aires.

"With profound sorrow we received the news of the helicopter accident that occurred in our province, in which seven people sadly lost their lives," San Juan Province Governor Marcelo Orrego wrote on X.

Fatalities included firefighters, police officers and civil protection personnel, he said.

The helicopter lost contact with base on Wednesday morning at around 10.30 a.m. local time (GMT-3), emergency services said.

It had been heading for the neighboring La Rioja Province to help control a forest fire there, according to a statement, which added that the causes of the accident were "under investigation."

Rescue teams were dispatched to the area, which was described by local media as remote and particularly difficult to access.