{"id":16532,"date":"2025-06-23T12:19:12","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T12:19:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/used82.com\/?p=16532"},"modified":"2025-06-23T12:19:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T12:19:12","slug":"horrific-hot-air-balloon-accident-leaves-eight-dead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/used82.com\/?p=16532","title":{"rendered":"Horrific hot air balloon accident leaves eight dead"},"content":{"rendered":"

At least eight people have died and 13 others were injured after a hot air balloon crashed in southern Brazil on Saturday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shocking footage shows the balloon consumed by flames as it plummets from the sky \u2014 just as heartbreaking new details emerge about the final moments of several passengers onboard<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A serene hot air balloon ride turned into a horrifying tragedy Saturday morning (June 21) over Praia Grande, a scenic ballooning hotspot in southern Brazil\u2019s Santa Catarina state. What was meant to be a peaceful glide above the forests and fields ended in disaster when a fire broke out mid-flight, sending the balloon plummeting and leaving eight people dead.<\/p>\n

Pilot pleads for passengers to jump<\/h2>\n

The balloon, operated by Sobrevoar Servi\u00e7os Tur\u00edsticos, was carrying 21 people when the disaster unfolded. According to survivors and law enforcement, a fire erupted inside the basket, forcing the pilot to descend quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAccording to the pilot, who is one of the survivors, a fire started inside the basket, so he started to lower the balloon,\u201d Officer Tiago Luiz Lemos told reporters, according to\u00a0BBC<\/a>. \u201cWhen it was very close to the ground, he told people to jump.\u201d<\/p>\n

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X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thirteen people, including the pilot, managed to leap to safety before the balloon \u2014lightened by their departure \u2014 rose again, carrying the remaining passengers toward a fiery fate.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe flames started to grow and because of the weight loss, the balloon began to rise again,\u201d Officer Lemos said. \u201cIt later fell because of a loss of suspension.\u201d<\/p>\n

What sparked the blaze?<\/h2>\n

The exact cause remains under investigation, but early reports point to a backup burner stored inside the basket. The pilot testified that it may have reignited on its own.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if it stayed lit or if it reignited on its own, but it was the torch that started it all,\u201d he reportedly told\u00a0Jornal Razao<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chief of police Ulisses Gabriel added that intense wind conditions at takeoff may have played a role. A ground crew had to stabilize the balloon with cables, and at one point a truck was seen pulling the balloon side to side.<\/p>\n

Gabriel told Globo News: \u201cThere was a truck pulling the balloon with a cable, which was moving very intensely. It\u2019s possible this movement caused a gas leak, which led to the fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the balloon\u2019s flame-retardant materials, the fire spread rapidly.<\/p>\n

Harrowing final moments<\/h2>\n

The eight victims included two couples, a mother and daughter, a figure skater, and an ophthalmologist. Three were reportedly found embracing one another in their final moments, according to civil police chief Ulisses Gabriel.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt hurts the soul,\u201d he posted on X.<\/p>\n

Witnesses described apocalyptic scenes. \u201cWe saw two people fall on fire,\u201d one local told Jornal Razao. \u201cAfter the basket broke, the balloon fell completely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another described reaching the crash site: \u201cThere were two people alive \u2014 a woman covered in mud, in shock, and a man limping. The pasture held two bodies near horses. The balloon had fallen deeper into the woods, burning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emergency responders rushed to the scene, warning onlookers to stay back due to leaking gas and explosion risks. Smoke billowed from the wreckage as rescue efforts began.<\/p>\n

According to G1, the balloon ride was expected to last about 45 minutes, reaching an altitude of 1,000 meters. Each passenger paid around 550 reais, which is roughly $100.<\/p>\n

National mourning<\/h2>\n

Governor Jorginho Mello, currently on an official mission in China, declared a period of mourning. \u201cWe are in mourning; what happened is a tragedy,\u201d he said in a video message. \u201cWe will investigate why this happened. But the important thing now is to reach out to the people and families.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Emergency services operate at the area where a hot air balloon crashed, leaving at least 8 dead in Santa Catarina, Brazil on June 21, 2025. (Photo by CBMSC\/ Brazil \/ Handout\/Anadolu via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

President Luiz In\u00e1cio Lula da Silva also issued a statement of solidarity. \u201cI place the federal government at the disposal of the victims and the state and municipal forces,\u201d he wrote on\u00a0X<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Praia Grande\u2019s city hall echoed the sentiment, offering support and condolences to the grieving families.<\/p>\n

Investigation and suspension of operations<\/h2>\n

Brazil\u2019s National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac) has launched a full investigation. Santa Catarina\u2019s public safety secretary said results would be released within 30 days. All survivors, including the pilot, are being interviewed.<\/p>\n

Sobrevoar Servi\u00e7os Tur\u00edsticos, the balloon tour company, has suspended operations indefinitely. \u201cEven with all necessary precautions and the efforts of our experienced pilot\u2026 we are now faced with the pain caused by this tragedy,\u201d the company said.<\/p>\n

Brazil\u2019s ballooning under scrutiny<\/h2>\n

This is the second fatal hot air balloon incident in Brazil in recent days.\u00a0Earlier this month<\/a>, a 27-year-old woman died in S\u00e3o Paulo, and 11 others were injured. The incidents have prompted renewed concerns about ballooning safety standards.<\/p>\n

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