Archive · 30 Jul 2026
Seven Die in Argentine Firefighting Helicopter Crash
A firefighting helicopter called a Bell 412 crashed in the western part of Argentina on July 29, 2026.
Seven people on board died, including firefighters, police officers, and civil protection workers.
The helicopter was training before it was supposed to help fight forest fires in a nearby park.
The crash happened at about 10:30 a.m.
and the cause is still being investigated.
The governor of the province said they would mourn for three days and lower the flags to half‑mast.
Seven people died when a Bell 412 firefighting helicopter crashed in San Juan Province, Argentina, on July 29, 2026.
The aircraft was on a training flight before heading to La Rioja to assist in fighting forest fires in Ischigualasto Natural Park.
Victims included firefighters, police officers and civil protection personnel.
The crash occurred around 10:30 a.m. local time; cause under investigation, rescue teams deployed.
San Juan Governor Marcelo Orrego declared three days of mourning and flags flown at half‑mast.
- Who
- Governor Marcelo Orrego, Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva, firefighters, police officers, civil protection personnel
- What
- Crash of a Bell 412 firefighting helicopter
- When
- July 29, 2026, around 10:30 a.m. local time
- Where
- San Juan Province, Ischigualasto Natural Park, Argentina
- Why
- Under investigation; the helicopter was on a training flight before heading to assist in forest fires
- Date
- July 29, 2026
- Location
- San Juan Province, Argentina
- Aircraft
- Bell 412
- Fatalities
- 7
- Victims
- Firefighters, police officers, civil protection personnel
- Cause
- Under investigation
- Mourning
- Three days declared
Sources
Seven die after firefighting helicopter crashes in Argentina during training mission
7 Killed In Helicopter Crash In Argentina: Officials
Argentina firefighting helicopter crashes, killing 7 on rescue mission