A pilot and a technician were killed in an Italian city Sunday as their firefighting helicopter crashed.

The incident, which occurred in the city of Rieti in central Italy, left the co-pilot badly wounded. He was rushed to a hospital in serious condition, Xinhua quoted media reports as saying.

The victims, aged 60 and 67, were confirmed dead soon after the crash, which occurred near a lake in the area while the firefighter helicopter was carrying out a flight training, according to local authorities.