Hot-air balloon crash in Brazil kills 8 people, World News
SAO PAULO — Eight people were killed after a hot-air balloon carrying 21 passengers, including the pilot, crashed on Saturday (June 21) in Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina, state officials said.
The tourism balloon caught fire during the flight in early morning hours, crashing in a forest area in the city of Praia Grande, according to the state fire department.
The city is a popular tourist spot for balloon trips in Brazil. The Santa Catarina government estimates that 25 to 30 hot-air balloons depart daily from Praia Grande in peak season, with most of them having capacity to transport as many as 25 people.
Thirteen survivors were transported to nearby hospitals, according to the fire department. A spokesperson of the department told local news outlet CNN Brasil that none of them were with their lives at risk.
In a post on X, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed solidarity with the families of the victims, saying the federal government is available to local and state forces acting in the case.
ALSO READ: 4 dead in Arizona hot air balloon crash
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AsiaOne
8 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Hot-air balloon crash in Brazil kills 8 people, World News
SAO PAULO — Eight people were killed after a hot-air balloon carrying 21 passengers, including the pilot, crashed on Saturday (June 21) in Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina, state officials said. The tourism balloon caught fire during the flight in early morning hours, crashing in a forest area in the city of Praia Grande, according to the state fire department. The city is a popular tourist spot for balloon trips in Brazil. The Santa Catarina government estimates that 25 to 30 hot-air balloons depart daily from Praia Grande in peak season, with most of them having capacity to transport as many as 25 people. Thirteen survivors were transported to nearby hospitals, according to the fire department. A spokesperson of the department told local news outlet CNN Brasil that none of them were with their lives at risk. In a post on X, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed solidarity with the families of the victims, saying the federal government is available to local and state forces acting in the case. ALSO READ: 4 dead in Arizona hot air balloon crash
CNA
13 hours ago
- CNA
Eight dead in Brazil hot air balloon accident
SAO PAULO: At least eight people were killed Saturday (Jun 21) when a hot air balloon with 21 passengers caught fire in southern Brazil, said the governor of Santa Catarina state, where the incident occurred. "Eight fatalities and 13 survivors," governor Jorginho Mello said on X. Videos taken by bystanders and carried on Brazilian television showed the moment when the balloon erupted in flames above the coastal town of Praia Grande. The weather conditions were clear. The basket carrying the passengers plummeted dozens of meters to the ground in flames. "We still have no information" about the condition of the survivors, a spokeswoman for Santa Catarina firefighters told AFP. Praia Grande, on the Atlantic coast, is a popular destination for hot-air ballooning in Brazil. The survivors were being treated in area hospitals, firefighters said. An investigation was launched to determine the cause of the accident. "I want to express my solidarity with the families of the victims," Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said in a statement. The pilot told officials that the fire was sparked by a blowtorch in the basket, Tiago Luiz Lemos, a police official in Praia Grande, told local media. The pilot tried to bring the balloon down as soon as the fire erupted, "and once it was close to the ground, he told the passengers to jump from the basket. But some of them couldn't do it and the fire grew," the official said. One witness told the Razao newspaper that he saw "two people falling, they were on fire, the basket broke off and the balloon fell". It was the second fatal balloon accident in the country in just a few days. Less than a week ago, a woman died during a ride in southeastern Sao Paulo state.
Straits Times
16 hours ago
- Straits Times
Eight dead in Brazil hot-air balloon accident
Bystander videos showed the moment when the balloon erupted in flames above the coastal town of Praia Grande, before plummeting dozens of metres to the ground in flames. SCREENSHOTS: X/@AVIATIONBRK SAO PAULO - At least eight people were killed on June 21 when a hot-air balloon with 21 passengers caught fire in southern Brazil, said the governor of Santa Catarina state, where the incident occurred. 'Eight fatalities and 13 survivors,' governor Jorginho Mello said on X. Videos taken by bystanders and carried on Brazilian television showed the moment when the balloon erupted in flames above the coastal town of Praia Grande. The weather conditions were clear. The basket carrying the passengers plummeted dozens of metres to the ground in flames. 'We still have no information' about the condition of the survivors, a spokeswoman for Santa Catarina firefighters told AFP. Praia Grande, on the Atlantic coast, is a popular destination for hot-air ballooning in Brazil. The survivors were being treated in area hospitals, firefighters said. An investigation was launched to determine the cause of the accident. 'I want to express my solidarity with the families of the victims,' Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said in a statement. The pilot told officials that the fire was sparked by a blowtorch in the basket, Mr Tiago Luiz Lemos, a police official in Praia Grande, told local media. The pilot tried to bring the balloon down as soon as the fire erupted, 'and once it was close to the ground, he told the passengers to jump from the basket. But some of them couldn't do it and the fire grew,' the official said. One witness told the Razao newspaper that he saw 'two people falling, they were on fire, the basket broke off and the balloon fell.' It was the second fatal balloon accident in the country in just a few days. Less than a week ago, a woman died during a ride in southeastern Sao Paulo state. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
