In a tragic incident in Santa Catarina, Brazil, a hot-air balloon caught fire and plummeted to the ground, resulting in the deaths of eight people. Reports indicate that the balloon, which had 21 individuals on board, including the pilot, experienced a catastrophic event around 8 AM local time. A video circulating on social media shows a large plume of smoke billowing from the balloon as it descended towards Praia Grande.
Following the crash, 13 survivors were rushed to hospitals, according to the Santa Catarina military fire brigade. The Praia Grande police chief, Tiago Luiz Lemos, shared insights from the pilot, a survivor who stated that a fire ignited inside the basket. As flames erupted, the pilot attempted to lower the balloon and instructed passengers to jump out. Tragically, not everyone was able to escape before the situation escalated, resulting in the balloon’s descent.
Authorities are now investigating the cause of the crash. Ulisses Gabriel, the chief of police in Santa Catarina, noted that weather conditions were a significant factor, with witnesses adding that people had to hold the balloon down during launch due to its instability. Furthermore, Gabriel suggested that a gas leak might have contributed to the balloon’s violent swaying in the wind, despite its flame-retardant design. Emergency teams are looking into other potential causes, including poor weather and human error. The community mourns the loss while seeking answers in this devastating event.
Original Source: https://www.india.com/news/world/brazil-hot-air-balloon-praia-grande-santa-catarina-tiago-luiz-lemos-ulisses-gabriel-global-news-zevir-cipriano-jr-7898785/
Category: World,Brazil Accident,Brazil hot air balloon,Global News,Praia Grande,Santa Catarina,Tiago Luiz Lemos,Ulisses Gabriel,Zevir Cipriano Jr
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Publish Date: 2025-06-22 08:37:00
