A small plane crashed into a Brazilian town popular with tourists on Sunday, killing all 10 people on board and injuring more than a dozen people on the ground, Brazil's civil defense agency said.
The agency said in a post on X that the plane hit a residential chimney, then the second floor of a nearby building, and then a mobile phone shop in a mostly residential area of Gramado. More than a dozen people on the ground suffered smoke inhalation and other injuries and were taken to the hospital. Two people are said to be in critical condition.
The cause of the crash was not immediately clear. Local media said the plane was being piloted by Brazilian businessman Luiz Claudio Galeazzi, who was traveling to San with his family. Paulo. In a statement posted on LinkedIn, Mr. Galeazzi's company, Galeazzi & Associados, confirmed that the 61-year-old was on the plane, along with his wife, their three daughters, several other family members, and others. He added that he was traveling with another company employee. All died in the accident.
“We are deeply grateful in this moment of intense pain.” [for] It is an expression of solidarity and love that we have received from our friends, colleagues and community,” the statement said. “We also express our solidarity with those affected by this accident in this region.”
A Piper small plane departing from Canela Airport in Rio Grande do Sul state was recorded on security cameras minutes before it crashed in Gramado, about six miles (10 kilometers) from the airport.
Gramado is located in the Serra Gaucha Mountains and is popular with Brazilian tourists who enjoy its cool climate, hiking spots, and traditional architecture. The town was settled in large numbers by German and Italian immigrants in the 19th century and is a popular Christmas holiday destination.
