Eight people are killed in a horrific hot air balloon accident

A hot air balloon crashed in southern Brazil on Saturday, resulting in at least eight fatalities and thirteen injuries. As tragic new information about the last moments of several passengers on board comes to light, shocking video captures the balloon becoming engulfed in flames as it plummets from the sky.

Over Praia Grande, a picturesque ballooning destination in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, a calm hot air balloon flight on Saturday morning, June 21, descended into a terrible tragedy. A fire that started in midair caused the balloon to drop, killing eight people, ruining what was supposed to be a serene glide over the farms and woodlands.

When the catastrophe occurred, 21 passengers were inside the balloon, which was run by Sobrevoar Serviços Turísticos. Law authorities and survivors said the pilot had to hastily descend after a fire broke out within the basket. Officer Tiago Luiz Lemos told reporters, “The pilot, one of the survivors, said that a fire had started inside the basket, so he started to lower the balloon,” the BBC reported. “He instructed people to jump when it was extremely close to the ground.”

Before the balloon, lightened by their departure, rose again, taking the other passengers toward a flaming fate, thirteen individuals, including the pilot, were able to jump to safety. Officer Lemos stated, “As the flames grew, the balloon started to rise again due to the weight loss.” “It later fell due to a suspension failure.”

Although the cause is still being investigated, preliminary indications suggest that the basket may have contained a backup burner. According to the pilot’s testimony, it might have started again on its own.

He allegedly informed Jornal Razao, “I don’t know if it stayed lit or if it reignited on its own, but it was the torch that started it all.”

Ulisses Gabriel, the chief of police, noted that strong winds during takeoff might have contributed. At one point, a truck was observed dragging the balloon from side to side while a ground crew used wires to stabilize it.

“There was a truck pulling the balloon with a cable, which was moving very intensely,” Gabriel told Globo News. This movement might have resulted in a gas leak, which started the fire. The fire spread quickly even though the balloon was made of flame-retardant materials.

Two couples, a mother and daughter, a figure skater, and an ophthalmologist were among the eight victims. Ulisses Gabriel, the head of civil police, said three were discovered embracing each other in their last moments. He wrote on X, “It hurts the soul.” Apocalyptic scenes were described by witnesses.

One resident told Jornal Razao, “We witnessed two individuals fall on fire.” “The balloon fell all the way down after the basket broke.” Another spoke of arriving at the scene of the crash: “There were two people alive — a man limping and a woman covered in mud, in shock.” Two bodies were found next to horses in the pasture. The burning balloon had plummeted farther into the forest.

Due to the possibility of an explosion and gas leak, emergency personnel hurried to the area and advised bystanders to remain back. As rescue operations got underway, smoke billowed from the wreckage. G1 predicted that the balloon journey will reach 1,000 meters in height and last roughly 45 minutes. Every traveler paid about 550 reais, or about $100.

A period of mourning was announced by Governor Jorginho Mello, who is presently in China on an official assignment. In a video message, he stated, “What happened is a tragedy; we are in mourning.” “We’ll look into what caused this. However, reaching out to individuals and families is critically crucial.

A declaration of support was also released by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He posted on X, saying, “I put the federal government at the disposal of the victims and the state and municipal forces.” City hall in Praia Grande mirrored the same, extending condolences and support to the families in mourning.

A thorough inquiry has been started by Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac). Results will be made public within 30 days, according to Santa Catarina’s public safety secretary. Interviews are being conducted with all survivors, including the pilot.

The balloon tour firm, Sobrevoar Serviços Turísticos, has put an indefinite halt to its operations. “We are now dealing with the pain caused by this tragedy, despite all necessary precautions and the efforts of our experienced pilot,” the business stated.

In the last few days, there have been two deadly hot air balloon accidents in Brazil. Eleven people were hurt and a 27-year-old woman died in São Paulo earlier this month. Concerns regarding the rapidly rising safety standards have been rekindled by the accidents.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones.