A helicopter from Brazil's state-run petroleum company Petrobras crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday, leaving at least five people dead, Brazil's television network TV Globo reported.
The report said the aircraft, used to pick up employees from petroleum rigs, tried to land on the Toisa Mariner oil platform when it bumped into a backstay of the vessel before exploding and falling into the sea. The helicopter sank within "a few minutes."
The accident happened in Campos Bay, about 111 km off the port of Macae and 190 km northeast of Rio.
Aboard the helicopter were at least three passengers besides the pilot and co-pilot, according to TV Globo. Other press reports said more people may have died in the crash.
(Xinhua News Agency July 6, 2003)
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