by Admin
21/6/2025
At least eight people have died after a hot air balloon carrying 21 passengers crashed in the southern city of Praia Grande, Brazil, on Saturday morning, officials confirmed.
The Governor of Santa Catarina, Jorginho Mello, shared the news on X, stating that 13 people, including the pilot survived the crash and were taken to nearby hospitals.
Authorities confirmed that no one remains missing.
The balloon went down near a health centre in the popular tourist town, which is known for its ballooning activities.
According to Praia Grande police officer Tiago Luiz Lemos, the crash was triggered by a fire that broke out inside the balloon’s basket.
“The pilot, who survived, said the fire started inside the basket.
He began descending and, when the balloon was close to the ground, instructed passengers to jump,” Lemos told reporters. “Some managed to escape, but others couldn’t.
As the flames intensified, the balloon rose again due to the weight change, but eventually lost lift and crashed.”
Emergency teams responded swiftly while the state government dispatched all available resources to the crash site.
Governor Mello, currently on an official visit to China, posted a video statement promising full support for the victims’ families.
“We are in mourning. What happened is a tragedy,” he said. “We will investigate the causes, but our focus now is on helping and comforting those affected.”
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also expressed his condolences, offering federal support, and pledged continued coordination between his government and municipal authorities for rescue and recovery efforts.
Praia Grande, located in Santa Catarina, is a picturesque destination known for its mountainous landscapes and popular hot air balloon rides, especially during the tourism season.
The incident has cast a great shadow over the region, with officials now investigating to know what led to the deadly fire and crash.