At least eight people lost their lives and 13 others were injured when a hot air balloon caught fire and crashed in Santa Catarina, Brazil. The tragic incident occurred early Saturday morning in Praia Grande, a coastal city known for its balloon rides.
The balloon was carrying 21 passengers when it suddenly went up in flames, according to local firefighters. Eyewitness footage showed thick smoke billowing from the balloon as it fell from the sky. The survivors were quickly taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Jorginho Mello, the governor of Santa Catarina, expressed his sorrow over the tragedy. He stated that the state would do everything possible to assist the victims and their families. Mello emphasized the importance of understanding what went wrong to prevent such incidents in the future.
The company operating the balloon, Sobrevoar, noted that the pilot had significant experience and had followed all safety procedures in an effort to protect everyone on board. In light of the accident, the company announced it would suspend all hot air balloon operations indefinitely.
The flight was expected to last around 45 minutes, taking passengers to an altitude of about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet). Tickets for the ride cost approximately 550 reais, or about $100. Hot air ballooning is a popular activity in southern Brazil, particularly during June festivities celebrating Catholic saints.
Just a week prior, another balloon incident in São Paulo state resulted in the death of a 27-year-old woman and injuries to 11 others, raising concerns about safety in the ballooning industry.