At least four people were killed Saturday when a helicopter crashed during a sightseeing flight over Tijuca National Park in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, according to the Colombian consul in the country.

The victims included the pilot and three Colombian women from the same family, who were visiting Rio de Janeiro to celebrate a girl’s 15th birthday.

The helicopter crashed near Vista Chinesa, a well-known lookout point inside Tijuca National Park, an expansive forested and mountainous area overlooking the city.

According to Diana Paez, Colombia’s consul general in Rio de Janeiro, the three women were the girl’s grandmother, aunt and cousin. The family had traveled to Rio for the birthday celebration, but the group of six had been divided because the helicopter could accommodate only three passengers.

The three women who boarded the helicopter were killed in the crash.

Following the accident, Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere called for stricter oversight of helicopter sightseeing flights, which have become increasingly popular among tourists visiting the city.

Cavaliere said he had contacted Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and urged the agency to take immediate measures to strengthen safety oversight of helicopter operations.

The mayor also suggested that sightseeing flights could potentially be suspended for “a week or two” while additional safety measures are introduced.

“My solidarity to the families of the victims of the helicopter accident that happened today near Vista Chinesa within the Tijuca National Park,” Cavaliere said in a social media post.

He added that Rio City Hall was prepared to support ANAC in implementing any measures deemed necessary to improve flight safety.

“We place the entire apparatus of City Hall at the disposal of ANAC to support the measures and actions that may be necessary,” he said.

Helicopter tours have become a popular way for visitors to see Rio de Janeiro’s landmarks from above, including the city’s famous Christ the Redeemer statue and its surrounding coastline and mountains.

However, the latest crash has renewed concerns about the safety of commercial sightseeing flights in the city.

The accident occurred in Tijuca National Park, one of Rio’s most prominent tourist destinations and one of the world’s largest urban forests. The crash site was near Vista Chinesa, which is known for its panoramic views of Rio and its distinctive bamboo-pagoda-style lookout.

The crash also comes less than two months after another fatal helicopter accident in Rio de Janeiro. On June 14, six people were killed when two helicopters collided in midair over the western suburb of Recreio dos Bandeirantes.

The two incidents have intensified calls for greater scrutiny of helicopter operations and stronger safety measures for flights carrying tourists over the city.

Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of Saturday’s crash and examine whether additional regulatory measures are needed to improve the safety of helicopter sightseeing operations in Rio de Janeiro. (ILKHA)