FIVE people are missing after a firefighting helicopter crashed into a river in Portugal as horrified tourists watched on.
The chopper was carrying six passengers but the pilot is said to have been rescued by a boat following the terrifying plunge.
Twitter / @PortoCanalptFive people are missing after a helicopter crashed into the Douro river in Portugal[/caption]
X/SICNoticiasA search and rescue operation is ongoing and military personnel are assisting[/caption]
The helicopter is said to be underwater in the Douro river following the smash in Cambres near the city of Lamego.
Local reports say the police are members of an emergency protection and help unit of the GPR police force called the UEPS.
The alarm was raised around 12.30pm this afternoon.
A vast search and rescue operation is now underway in the area with resources from the maritime police, firefighters, divers, fishing boats and GNR (National Republican Guard) military personnel assisting.
GNR chief Mafalda Gomes de Almeida has confirmed the only person rescued so far is the helicopter pilot.
A spokesman for GNR confirmed: “The search is continuing in the river for the five members of the UEPS who are still missing.
“Maritime police, firefighters, divers, recreational boats and GNR military personnel are involved.
“The causes of the accident are as yet unknown.
“The pilot of the helicopter was rescued alive with minor injuries.”
The chopper had been tackling a fire in Baiao near to the crash scene when it went down.
Only the pilot has been rescued so farTwitter / @SICNoticias
X/SICNoticiasSix people were believed to have been onboard the chopper[/caption]
AlamyThe crash happened in the Douro river in Northern Portugal[/caption]
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