On Saturday, a tragic incident occurred in Praia Grande, a municipality in Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina, when a hot-air balloon caught fire mid-flight. According to local firefighters, the accident resulted in the deaths of eight people. Eyewitness footage showed the balloon engulfed in flames, billowing smoke as it plummeted to the ground.
Reports indicate that there were 21 individuals on board, including the pilot, at the time of the incident. The crash occurred around 8 a.m. local time, as confirmed by Lt. Col. Zevir Cipriano Jr. of the military fire brigade. Initial investigations suggest that a fire broke out in the balloon's basket, prompting the pilot to execute an emergency landing attempt. Thirteen people, including the pilot, managed to escape by jumping from the balloon, but tragically, eight individuals remained on board and met with a fatal outcome. According to Cipriano Jr., four of the deceased were found charred, while the other four died after jumping during the balloon's descent.
Ulisses Gabriel, chief of the civil police in Santa Catarina, described a heartbreaking scene, stating that three of the victims were found embracing one another. The emotional weight of the tragedy has resonated deeply within the community. In response to the disaster, Governor Jorginho Mello expressed his condolences in a statement, stating, “We are in mourning. A tragedy has happened.” He affirmed the commitment of the state government to investigate the incident thoroughly.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also extended his sympathies to the victims' families, assuring them that the federal government would assist both the victims and local authorities in any way necessary. An investigation is currently underway, and Santa Catarina's public safety secretary, Col. Flávio Graff, has indicated that the findings will be disclosed within 30 days. The pilot has already provided testimony, and authorities are in the process of collecting accounts from survivors as well.
The balloon, operated by Sobrevoar, was reportedly intended to undertake a 45-minute flight, reaching altitudes of 1,000 meters (approximately 3,280 feet). Each passenger had paid around 550 reais (about $100) for the experience. Prior to the incident on Saturday, Sobrevoar had maintained a clean safety record and complied with all relevant regulations. In a statement, the company expressed its sorrow regarding the tragedy, emphasizing the experience and training of their pilot, who had executed all recommended procedures in an effort to save those on board. Following the incident, Sobrevoar announced the suspension of all its operations indefinitely.
Praia Grande is recognized as a popular destination for hot-air ballooning, particularly sought after for its stunning canyon landscapes, which have earned it the moniker of the “Brazilian Cappadocia,” a nod to the renowned hot-air balloon experience offered in central Turkey. This tragedy comes just a week after another balloon accident occurred in Sao Paulo state, where a 27-year-old woman lost her life, and eleven others were injured.
