SANTA CATARINA – A tragic incident in southern Brazil claimed the lives of at least eight individuals on Saturday when a hot air balloon carrying 21 passengers caught fire, according to the governor of Santa Catarina state.
“Eight people have died, and there are 13 survivors,” stated Governor Jorginho Mello on X.
Footage captured by onlookers and broadcast on Brazilian television revealed the moment the balloon ignited in flames over the coastal town of Praia Grande, where the weather was clear. The basket containing the passengers fell several meters to the ground engulfed in fire.
“We currently do not have details regarding the condition of the survivors,” a spokesperson from the Santa Catarina fire department informed AFP.
Praia Grande, located on the Atlantic coast, is a well-known hotspot for hot air ballooning in Brazil. Survivors are receiving medical care at local hospitals, as reported by firefighters.
An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the cause of the accident. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences, saying, “I want to extend my solidarity to the families of the victims.”
According to Tiago Luiz Lemos, a police official in Praia Grande, the pilot indicated that the fire was ignited by a blowtorch in the basket. The pilot attempted to land the balloon immediately after the fire broke out and instructed passengers to jump from the basket as it neared the ground. Unfortunately, some were unable to escape, and the flames intensified.
A witness recounted to the Razao newspaper, “I saw two people falling, engulfed in flames; the basket broke away, and the balloon descended.”
This marks the second deadly balloon incident in Brazil within a week, following the death of a woman during a ride in southeastern Sao Paulo state.
