6 people killed after helicopters collide in Brazil

6 people killed after helicopters collide in Brazil

Investigation underway to determine cause

Two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro on Sunday morning and crashed in the Brazilian city's western zone, killing all six people aboard, firefighters said.

Rio de Janeiro's Military Fire Department said that one of the helicopters crashed on a car dealership, where several electric vehicles were parked, igniting a fire that was extinguished.

Officials said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collision.

Police said that American singer and comedian Oliver Tree was on the list of passengers handed to aviation authorities, but they have not been able to identify the bodies of those killed in the crash.

Tree performed in Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital, on June 4, and published a video on his Instagram on Saturday showing him playing soccer in a Brazilian neighbourhood.

Plane crash in Missouri kills all 12 people aboard

Fernandes de Freitas, a tire repair worker, said he saw one of the helicopters in flames following the midair collision and noticed that one of the passengers jumped out of the other aircraft before it hit the ground.

"It was terrifying, absolutely horrifying," de Freitas said.