A tragic hot air balloon accident in southern Brazil has left eight people dead, including two doctors and a teacher, after the craft caught fire mid-air and plummeted to the ground.
The balloon was carrying 21 people, including the pilot, when it crashed on Saturday morning in Praia Grande, a scenic city in the state of Santa Catarina known for its popular hot air balloon rides.
Dramatic video footage shared on social media shows the balloon engulfed in flames while still airborne, swinging violently before the basket detached and fell, per G1.
Among those killed was Dr. Leise Herrmann Parizotto, a civil servant from Blumenau, who perished alongside her mother, Leane Elizabeth Herrmann. Another victim, Dr. Andrei Gabriel de Melo, was a respected ophthalmologist practicing in Santa Catarina.
Also killed in the crash was Leandro Luzzi, a figure skater and teacher in Brusque. A couple from Joinville, Janaina Moreira Soares da Rocha and Everaldo da Rocha, were confirmed among the victims as well. The remaining victims were identified as Fabio Luiz Izycki and Juliane Jacinta Sawicki, per The Independent.
Thirteen other passengers, including the pilot, survived the crash and were taken to local hospitals for treatment, according to the local fire brigade.
Initial reports suggest the fire originated in the balloon’s basket, possibly sparked by a blowtorch. The pilot, speaking to Brazilian outlet Jornal Razão, said (via The Guardian): “I don’t know if it stayed lit or reignited on its own, but it was the torch that started it all.”
Upon spotting the flames, the pilot reportedly attempted to make an emergency landing and instructed passengers to jump when the balloon came close to the ground. Some managed to leap to safety, but as people jumped, the balloon grew lighter and rose again, with several passengers still trapped inside.
Witness footage captured the horrifying moment when the balloon, fully ablaze, disintegrated mid-air and the basket plummeted to the ground. Four victims are believed to have died inside the burning basket, while four others perished from the impact of the fall.
The balloon was operated by a company called Sobrevoar, which reportedly held all necessary flight licenses, according to Brazilian news outlet G1.
Santa Catarina Governor Jorginho Mello confirmed the tragedy on social media, writing: “We are all shocked by the accident involving a balloon in Praia Grande this Saturday morning. Our rescue team is already on site.”
He later added: “21 people on board, 8 fatalities, 13 survivors. Our teams continue to provide all necessary support to the families and victims.”
The crash came just one week after another ballooning accident in São Paulo state that killed a 27-year-old woman and injured 11 others, per CBS News. Additionally, a similar tragedy occurred days ago in Turkey, where two hot air balloons crashed near the Ihlara Valley, killing one person and injuring 19.
Hot air ballooning is a popular seasonal attraction in southern Brazil, especially during the June festivities celebrating Catholic saints like Saint John.