A hot air balloon caught fire and plummeted from the sky in southern Brazil on Saturday morning, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least eight people. The incident occurred in the municipality of Praia Grande, located in Santa Catarina state, a region renowned for its scenic balloon flights.
Authorities confirmed that 21 people were on board the balloon, including the pilot, when the catastrophic event unfolded around 8 a.m. local time. The disaster sent shockwaves through the community, particularly in Praia Grande, often dubbed the “Brazilian Cappadocia” due to its dramatic canyon landscapes and status as a popular hot air ballooning destination.
Deadly Ascent Becomes Fiery Plunge
According to officials from Santa Catarina’s military fire brigade, the emergency began when a fire erupted in the balloon’s basket. In response, the pilot initiated an emergency descent and instructed passengers to jump out as the balloon neared the ground.
Tragically, only thirteen individuals, including the pilot, managed to exit the basket by jumping. The sudden loss of weight caused the flaming balloon to unexpectedly ascend again. The eight people who remained on board faced a grim fate. Four were found charred inside the wreckage, while the other four died after jumping from a greater height as the balloon continued its fiery descent. Police chief Ulisses Gabriel shared on social media the heart-wrenching detail that three of the victims who died were found embracing each other.
Video footage circulating on social media and shared by local news outlets reportedly showed thick smoke billowing from the balloon as it was engulfed in flames and hurtled toward the ground.
Rescue Efforts and Survivor Accounts
Emergency services were immediately deployed to the crash site. The thirteen survivors were transported to local hospitals for medical attention. Of five survivors treated at Our Lady of Fatima hospital, three were reported in stable condition with minor injuries, and two had already been discharged. Information on the condition of the other survivors was not immediately available.
Initial accounts from the pilot, relayed by police officials, confirmed the sequence of events beginning with the fire in the basket and the subsequent attempts to escape. Authorities plan to gather statements from the survivors as part of the ongoing investigation.
Location Context and Frequency
Praia Grande is a significant hub for hot air ballooning in southern Brazil, known for offering stunning views of the area’s canyons. The activity is particularly popular during the June festivities honoring Catholic saints. Reports indicate that the region typically sees around 25 to 30 hot air balloon flights departing daily. The specific flight that crashed was reportedly planned to last 45 minutes, reach an altitude of approximately 3,280 feet (1,000 meters), and cost around $100 per passenger.
Official Response and Investigation Launched
Both state and federal authorities quickly responded to the tragedy. Santa Catarina Governor Jorginho Mello expressed profound sorrow, stating the state was in mourning and that resources had been directed to assist with rescue, medical aid, and comforting affected families. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also offered solidarity with the victims’ families and pledged the federal government’s support for the investigation and assistance to local authorities.
An investigation into the cause of the fire and crash has been officially launched. Multiple agencies, including the Santa Catarina military fire brigade, civil police, and Brazil’s Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA), are involved. Pilot testimony has already been gathered, and authorities expect to release preliminary findings within 30 days.
Company Statement and Broader Context
Sobrevoar, the company operating the balloon, issued a statement expressing deep pain over the tragedy. They asserted that they complied with all regulations and had a clean accident record prior to the incident. The company stated their pilot was highly experienced and followed all recommended procedures in an attempt to save everyone on board. Following the crash, Sobrevoar announced the indefinite suspension of all its operations.
This devastating accident follows another fatal hot air balloon incident in Brazil just the previous Sunday in Sao Paulo state, which resulted in one death and eleven injuries. Fatal hot air balloon crashes, while relatively rare compared to other forms of transport, have occurred elsewhere in recent years, including incidents in Arizona (2024), Australia (2024), Mexico (2023), and New Mexico (2021), highlighting inherent risks associated with the activity.
