RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — A tragic midair collision between two helicopters over Rio de Janeiro has left six people dead and sparked international attention after authorities revealed that American singer, comedian, and internet personality Oliver Tree was included on a passenger list linked to one of the aircraft.
The crash occurred Sunday morning over the city’s western zone, where the two helicopters reportedly collided before plunging to the ground in a fiery wreck that killed everyone on board.
One of the helicopters crashed into a car dealership parking lot, igniting several electric vehicles and triggering a large fire that emergency responders later brought under control. Images from the scene showed charred vehicles, scattered debris, and rescue personnel combing through the wreckage.
While authorities confirmed that six people died in the accident, investigators are still working to formally identify the victims.
Police said Oliver Tree’s name appeared on a passenger manifest submitted to aviation authorities. However, officials stressed that they have not yet been able to confirm whether the American entertainer was among those killed, as forensic identification efforts remain ongoing.
The uncertainty surrounding Tree’s status has drawn widespread attention, particularly after the performer recently posted content from Brazil on social media. Tree had performed in Buenos Aires, Argentina, earlier this month and shared a video on Instagram on Saturday showing him playing soccer in a Brazilian neighborhood.
Another prominent figure believed to have been aboard one of the helicopters was Argentine content creator Gaspar Prim Díaz, better known online as “Gaspi.” The 23-year-old influencer had built a following of more than 2.8 million subscribers on YouTube.
Argentine streaming platform Blender paid tribute to Gaspi following reports linking him to the crash.
“Thank you for your art, your magic and your sensitivity. We will all miss you,” the platform said in a statement.
Witnesses described scenes of panic and horror moments before the helicopters hit the ground.
Fernandes de Freitas, a nearby tire repair worker, said he saw one of the aircraft engulfed in flames after the collision.
“It was terrifying, absolutely horrifying,” he said.
He also claimed to have seen a passenger jump from one of the helicopters before impact, although authorities have not verified the account.
Brazilian aviation officials have launched an investigation into the collision. Authorities are examining flight records, aircraft maintenance logs, air traffic communications, and other factors to determine what caused the two helicopters to collide in midair.
As investigators work to establish the identities of those aboard and reconstruct the sequence of events, families and fans around the world are awaiting confirmation about the fate of Oliver Tree and the other passengers involved in the tragedy.