Five people missing after firefighting helicopter crashes into river in Portugal in front of horrified tourists

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 / @PortoCanalpt

Five people are missing after a helicopter crashed into the Douro river in Portugal[/caption]

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A 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 military personnel assisting.

GNR chief Mafalda Gomes de Almeida has confirmed the only person rescued so far is the helicopter pilot.

Twitter / @SICNoticias

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Six people were believed to have been onboard the chopper[/caption]

Alamy

The crash happened in the Douro river in Northern Portugal[/caption]