Two people have died after a helicopter crashed into a barge on the Mississippi River near West Alton, Missouri, in a fiery midday disaster that stunned witnesses and shut down nearby transport routes.
Authorities confirmed the helicopter struck power lines before crash-landing onto a working barge, igniting a massive fireball and sending plumes of smoke into the sky. Both victims were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash and died at the scene, officials said.
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Investigation Underway
Authorities from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are expected to launch a full investigation into the cause of the crash. The fire has since been brought under control, but recovery efforts and site assessments continue.
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