Seven people were killed when a helicopter crashed in the Andes Mountains in Argentina while on a training mission, according to a report by GB News.

The helicopter crew lost contact with air traffic control shortly after taking off in Ischigualasto Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in San Juan province, the report said. The aircraft, a Bell 412 helicopter, lost contact at 10:26am local time near the border with La Rioja province. 

Argentine authorities searched the more than 100,000-acre national park and located the wreckage at around 1pm local time. 

San Juan Governor Marcelo Orrego said on social media that those on board were members of the province's firefighter and police forces. The victims were identified as Carlos Heredia, director of Civil Protection; General Commissioner Germán Videla, deputy chief of the San Juan Police; General Commissioner Rubén Castro, chief of Firefighters; and Inspector Commissioner Jorge Carbajal, deputy chief of firefighters. 

The UNESCO-recognised site was shut down following the crash. Park director Juan Pablo Teja Godoy told local media that it remained unclear what had caused the accident. He said the arrival of the helicopter had been scheduled for that morning before a call came through reporting that one of the helicopters performing manoeuvres had crashed in the northern part of the park. He added that authorities had received only a distress call, with no further contact from the crew. 

An investigation into the cause of the crash is expected to follow.

Source: GB News