Tragedy in San Juan: seven people died after the crash of a helicopter that was going to fight fires

The Federal Emergency Agency (AFE) confirmed on Wednesday the death of the seven people who were aboard the Bell 412 helicopter that crashed in the northern area of the Ischigualasto Provincial Park, in the province of San Juan. The aircraft was participating in an official mission related to the National Fire Management System and, after training in the San Juan territory, was scheduled to move to La Rioja to assist in combating the wildfires affecting the Chilecito area.

According to the agency, which is under the Ministry of National Security, the last contact with the helicopter was recorded at 10:26. Minutes later, communication with the aircraft was lost, and another helicopter flying over the area managed to locate the wreckage, notifying the authorities to activate the rescue operation.

In an official statement, the AFE confirmed that the seven people on board died as a result of the accident. Among the victims were Andrés Bosch, regional coordinator for the Federal Emergency Agency; Rodrigo Aimetta, instructor and firefighter; Matías Valenzuela, helicopter pilot; Chief Commissioner Rubén Castro, head of the San Juan Fire Department; Inspector Commissioner Jorge Carbajal, second-in-command of the Fire Department; Carlos Heredia, director of Civil Protection; and Chief Commissioner Germán Videla, deputy chief of the San Juan Police.

The aircraft had taken off from the city of San Juan with personnel participating in training related to the National Fire Management System in the Valle Fértil area. Once that activity was completed, it was to move to the province of La Rioja to join the operation deployed in response to the wildfires.

The site of the incident has complex access due to the terrain characteristics. Rescue teams advanced to the last possible point by vehicle and then continued on ATVs and on foot to reach the wreckage of the helicopter. As a result of the operation, the Ischigualasto Provincial Park remained closed throughout the day.

After the tragedy became known, the governor of San Juan, Marcelo Orrego, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and assured that the provincial government is working with national authorities to provide all necessary assistance.

For its part, the Federal Emergency Agency stated that the causes of the accident are still under investigation and noted that it maintains ongoing contact with the competent authorities to assist in clarifying what happened.