Seven killed in helicopter crash during firefighting drill in Argentina VIDEO

Seven people were killed when a helicopter crashed during a firefighting training exercise in Argentina’s San Juan province, authorities said.

The victims include senior emergency and security officials, according to Governor Marcelo Orrego and the provincial government. Those killed were Carlos Heredia, head of the Civil Defence Directorate; German Videla, deputy chief of provincial police; Ruben Castro, head of the fire service; and his deputy Jorge Carbajal. Also among the dead were pilot Matias Valenzuela and AFE firefighting brigade members Andres Bosch and Rodrigo Aymetta.

En San Juan cayó un helicóptero contra incendios y lamentablemente murieron 7 personas!

Encima que hay pocos recursos pasa esta desgracia! pic.twitter.com/wkME5AYiC2

— Leon_M77 (@Leonfdc777) July 30, 2026

The crash occurred during a forest firefighting drill, officials said. Authorities expressed condolences to the victims’ families and said support would be provided.

According to The Sun, the aircraft, a Bell 412 helicopter, was carrying out a training flight as part of a wildfire response course organised by Argentina’s national fire management agency for emergency personnel. Contact with the helicopter was lost mid-flight, and the wreckage was later located by the crew of a helicopter operated by a local mining company.

Rescue teams were only able to reach the crash site on foot due to the rugged mountainous terrain, the report said.

By Tamilla Hasanova