Who were the seven people who died in the helicopter accident in San Juan

The crash of a Bell 412 helicopter in the Ischigualasto Provincial Park left seven dead and caused a strong shock in San Juan. Among the victims were four provincial authorities, two firefighters from the Federal Emergency Agency (AFE), and the pilot of the aircraft.

The group was participating in training aimed at strengthening the response to forest fires. After completing the planned activities in San Juan, the helicopter was to continue to La Rioja to assist in controlling an active fire.

Governor Marcelo Orrego confirmed the identities of the deceased: Carlos Heredia, Germán Videla, Rubén Castro, Jorge Carbajal, Matías Valenzuela, Andrés Bosch, and Rodrigo Aimetta.

Carlos Heredia had been the head of the Civil Protection Directorate of San Juan since February 2023. He had retired after serving 30 years in the provincial police and had developed his entire career in various fire stations. He held a degree in Hygiene and Safety at Work, was a specialist in fire safety, and taught in the Security career.

His brother Nelson shared that the last message he received from him was at 9:10 AM, shortly before the maneuvers began. During the first hours after the accident, the family held onto hope because the messages sent to his phone continued to arrive, although they were not read.

Germán Marcelo Videla, 52, was the deputy chief of the San Juan Police. He had taken office in March 2026 and had three decades of experience within the force. Originally from Chimbas, he held a degree in Citizen Security from the Catholic University of Cuyo and was a higher technician in Security.

Also traveling were Rubén Castro, chief of the Fire Department and a member of the provincial police's senior staff, and Jorge Carbajal, inspector and second chief of the Fire Department. Both had extensive experience in responding to fires and other emergencies.

The four officials were part of the provincial delegation called for training on the use of aerial resources in combating forest fires.

The pilot was Matías Valenzuela, who had been working for Jas Fly S.A. for eight years, the company that owned the aircraft. Before joining the company, he had retired from the Buenos Aires provincial police, where he served for 30 years and became a helicopter commander. He was also specialized in flights aimed at controlling forest fires.

Andrés Bosch was the coordinator of the Central Region of the National Fire Management System, responsible for Córdoba, Santa Fe, and Entre Ríos. A specialist and instructor in forest fires, he worked on logistical planning, operational safety, and coordination of aerial resources.

The seventh occupant was Rodrigo Aimetta, regional technician of the Federal Emergency Agency for the National Fire Management System. During the day, he was to deliver theoretical and practical modules on fire combat with aerial support for firefighters and Security and Civil Protection personnel from San Juan.

The governor of San Juan, Marcelo Orrego, confirmed the deaths of the seven people who were on the helicopter and expressed his sorrow for the accident that occurred near the Ischigualasto Provincial Park.

"With deep sorrow, we received the news of the helicopter accident that occurred in our province, in which sadly seven people lost their lives," the governor wrote on his X account.

Orrego especially remembered Carlos Heredia, Germán Videla, Rubén Castro, and Jorge Carbajal, the four provincial authorities who were participating in the training. He defined them as "public servants who dedicated their lives to the care of the people of San Juan" and highlighted that he had the opportunity to work alongside them in various situations.

The governor also expressed his support to the families of Matías Valenzuela, the helicopter pilot, and the firefighters from the Federal Emergency Agency Andrés Bosch and Rodrigo Aimetta.

"I want to express my sincerest condolences to the families of all the victims at this moment of immense pain. We stand by each of their loved ones," he added.

Finally, he assured that the Government of San Juan was available to the affected families and was working with the relevant agencies to provide them with the necessary assistance.

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