Four people died last night, including a child, after a helicopter crashed into a communications tower and fell among several houses in the U.S. city of Houston, Texas, local media reported, citing Efe.
The helicopter crash caused a massive explosion that brought down the huge structure, as explained by the city's mayor, John Whitmire.
The accident occurred shortly after 8:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, causing a loud blast that could be heard at a nearby fire station, Whitmire told the media at a press conference.
According to Houston Police Chief Noe Díaz, the four people aboard the private helicopter of the 'Robinson R44' type died, whose identities have not been made public.
The aircraft appears to have taken off from Ellington Airport, about 27 kilometers south of the accident site, although the exact destination is unknown. "This is a tragic event tonight. It is a tragic loss of lives," Díaz said.
Some houses near the accident site were left without electricity, Whitmire said, adding that the explosion could have been much worse because there was a tank full of butane gas in the area.
Authorities have announced that they will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the causes of the accident.