Tragic Hot Air Balloon Incident in Brazil
Authorities in Santa Catarina, Brazil, reported that a fire involving hot air balloons led to a devastating incident on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals.
Footage from local news outlet G1 showcased a large plume of smoke as the balloons descended amidst the flames in the Praia Grande area.
Additional videos circulating on social media depicted the frightening moments when the fire erupted on the aircraft, causing two people to fall from the sky.
According to military firefighters in Santa Catarina, 13 people survived the incident and were transported to hospitals. They clarified that there were 21 individuals on board at the time, including the pilots.
Governor Jorgie Mello expressed his sorrow, stating, “We are in mourning. A tragedy has occurred. We’ll investigate what happened and why, but for now, it’s crucial to focus on providing support.” He mentioned that he had directed authorities to the affected area.
One of the pilot survivors recounted a frightening sequence of events, explaining that flames started pouring into the basket, prompting him to instruct everyone to jump as the balloons neared the ground. Unfortunately, some individuals were unable to exit before the fire worsened and the balloons fell.
Reports indicate that the flight was supposed to last 45 minutes, reaching heights of 1,000 meters, with a cost of about 550 Reais (approximately $100) per passenger. Hot air ballooning is generally a favored pastime in Brazil, particularly during festivals like the one held in June to honor Catholic saints, including St. John on June 24th.
Just a week prior, a similar incident occurred in the state of Sao Paulo, where a 27-year-old woman lost her life and 11 others were injured when balloons fell.
