Santiago de Chile  - Thirteen people died in a helicopter crash in the central Maule region of Chile while on a forest fire- fighting mission, according to a report on Chilean television, Channel 13.

Civil aeronautics officials said the pilot and 12 fire brigade members died in the crash.

Colonel Luis Gutierrez, prefect of Linares, said there appeared to be no survivors, and that recovery of bodies will be difficult from the remote site of the accident.

The accident took place about 1600 Sunday.

The firefighters, estimated in age from 18 to 30 years, had been working since Friday to quench the forest flames. (dpa)