Eight people have died following a hot air balloon fire accident in southern Brazil, where the balloon caught fire mid-air and subsequently plummeted to the ground. The tragedy occurred on Saturday morning in Praia Grande, a municipality in the Santa Catarina state of Brazil. The fire is believed to have been caused by a backup torch igniting within the balloon’s basket.
Shocking footage captured by local media shows the balloon billowing smoke as it descends toward the earth, engulfed in flames. Eyewitness reports suggest that 21 people were aboard, including 13 passengers and one pilot. Of those, 13 survivors were immediately transported to nearby hospitals after the incident, which occurred around 8 a.m. local time. Emergency responders confirmed that the fatalities included four people who died from burns, while the others perished after jumping from the burning balloon as it fell. Eyewitnesses recounted the disturbing sight of three victims clinging to each other in their final moments, an image that Chief Ulisses Gabriel of Santa Catarina’s civil police described as profoundly sorrowful. In the wake of the tragedy, emergency response teams have been mobilized, and it is clear that the state of Santa Catarina is mourning deeply.
An official investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire believed to have led to the crash. Governor Jorginho Mello of Santa Catarina reassured the public that support for the victims’ families would be provided and that officials are actively involved in mitigation efforts. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also issued condolences and pledged federal assistance.
The hot air balloon ride, which typically lasts about 45 minutes and reaches an altitude of 3,280 feet, was scheduled to hover at that height for the duration of the flight. Sobrevoar, the company operating the balloon, adheres to industry safety standards, including a no-harm guarantee to passengers. However, following this tragic event, the company has grounded all flights indefinitely pending further review, sparking concerns about the safety of hot air balloon rides nationwide. Sympathy and condolences have poured in from across Brazil.
