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One person has been killed and two injured after a helicopter crashed earlier this afternoon (Wednesday, 18 December) in the mountainous region of Monchique in the Algarve.

The National Civil Protection Authority (ANPC) confirmed the crash, which occurred in Vale de Água at around 2.30pm. Some twenty search and rescue officials rushed to the scene, including 14 fire-fighters.

The helicopter belongs to the São Domingos da Rana-based company Heliportugal.

This was confirmed to The Portugal News at 4pm by a company spokesperson who said the identities and nationalities of the people travelling on board were not yet available for disclosure. Management was meeting to discuss the accident.

Early information from the District Central for Rescue Operations suggests the helicopter came down after colliding with electric cables.

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