A Mexican Navy Mil Mi-17 helicopter registration number 1714 crash near Queretaro crashed in a wooded area while engaged in a fire fighting mission. All six occupants died in the crash.
The MI-17 helicopter, which took off from Valle Verde in the neighbouring state of San Luis Potosi, was carrying a helibucket with 2,500 litres of water to fight the fire, the navy said in a statement, without giving further details of the accident.
The accident occurred around 1:45 pm in the municipality of Jalpan de Serra, Queretaro.
Here is a video of crash Site of MI-17 helicopter
#Entérate #Oaxaca | Jalpan de Serra.
Se confirma el desplome de helicóptero MI-17 de la #SEMAR que realizaba maniobras para sofocar el incendio forestal.Extraoficialmente fallecieron 7 personas, el piloto, 5 marinos y un empleado de #CONAFOR. pic.twitter.com/i86jgmIKFR
— heyoaxaca (@heyoaxacamx) May 25, 2019
The crash was confirmed by the Secretary of the Navy through his Twitter account and he added that the aircraft was an MI-17 helicopter.
Se informa que en los lamentables hechos ocurridos en cercanías de Valle Verde S.L.P., se desplomó un helicóptero MI-17 de nuestra institución, #EnBreve más información.
— SEMAR México (@SEMAR_mx) May 24, 2019
Preliminary information indicates that seven people were travelling in the helicopter. According to the Unofficial twitter post 7 people died, the pilot, 5 sailors and an employee of Comisión Nacional Forestal
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador lamented the collapse of the MI-17 helicopter of the Navy Secretariat of Mexico. According to the first reports, the aircraft was fighting a fire in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, in Queretaro . He asked to wait for the information of the rescue personnel, to know the consequences.
Central Mexico has suffered hundreds of wildfires in recent months due to low rainfall and high temperatures.
A lack of wind and rain have prevented the smoke from dissipating, which worsened the air quality of the capital Mexico City to such an extent that authorities last week declared an environmental alert and warned residents to avoid physical activity outdoors.
