Tragic Hot Air Balloon Accident Claims Eight Lives in Brazil

Tragedy struck in Brazil as a hot air balloon accident claimed the lives of at least eight people, according to a statement from a state governor. The balloon, carrying 21 individuals on Saturday morning, met disaster in the city of Praia Grande, shared Governor Jorginho Mello of Santa Catarina in a social media post. Fortunately, 13 people, including the pilot, survived the incident, with no individuals reported missing, confirmed by the state government press office. The crash occurred in the vicinity of a health center.

The pilot, one of the survivors, recounted that a fire ignited inside the basket, prompting him to dangerously lower the balloon. He instructed passengers to jump as the balloon neared the ground. “They began jumping,” detailed officer Tiago Luiz Lemos from the Praia Grande police station, “but some didn’t succeed. The blaze intensified, and due to the added weight, the balloon ascended again before ultimately crashing due to losing lift.” Nearby hospitals received 13 survivors for treatment.

Governor Mello, currently on an official trip in China, released a video on social media expressing his sorrow and commitment to aid the affected families. He stated that “the entire state structure” was mobilized to “rescue, assist, and comfort the families” while he continued to monitor developments. “We are grieving; this is a catastrophic event,” he said, emphasizing the need for investigation but prioritizing immediate support for victims’ families.

Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, also expressed his condolences, stating his “solidarity with the families of the victims”. He reassured that “the federal government stands ready to assist the victims” and highlighted the ongoing collaborative efforts of state and municipal forces to manage rescue and support operations. Praia Grande, located in southern Santa Catarina, is a well-known tourist hotspot, popular especially for its ballooning activities.