A tragic hot-air balloon accident claimed the lives of eight people and injured thirteen others in southern Brazil after the balloon caught fire midair and crashed near the town of Praia Grande in the state of Santa Catarina.
The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. local time on Friday, when the balloon, operated by the licensed tourism company Sobrevoar, experienced a sudden onboard fire while carrying 21 passengers. According to the Santa Catarina Fire Department, the blaze appears to have originated from a secondary blowtorch located in the balloon’s basket.
As flames rapidly spread, the pilot attempted an emergency descent and urged passengers to jump from the gondola when the balloon neared the ground. While thirteen individuals survived—many with burns and traumatic injuries—eight others were killed. Four victims reportedly died in the fire, while the others were killed after leaping too late. Rescue teams discovered several victims embracing one another, indicating they may have jumped together in desperation.
Emergency response units, including local firefighters, military police, and ambulance teams, arrived quickly at the scene. Survivors were transported to nearby hospitals; none are currently reported in critical condition.
Video footage shared by witnesses and local news outlets shows the balloon engulfed in flames as passengers jump to escape. The crash occurred in a mountainous area known for balloon tourism, especially popular in June during Brazil’s annual Festa Junina festivities. Praia Grande typically sees up to 30 balloon flights a day during peak season.
Governor Jorginho Mello confirmed the casualties and declared official mourning in the region. In a statement, he pledged support for the victims’ families and called for a full investigation into the causes of the fire. The Brazilian Air Force and civil aviation authorities have launched an inquiry.
Sobrevoar, the company responsible for the flight, has suspended all operations pending the investigation. Local officials noted that the company had previously maintained a clean safety record.
This incident follows a separate fatal balloon crash in São Paulo earlier this week, raising renewed concerns about balloon safety oversight in Brazil’s growing aerial tourism sector.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva extended condolences to the victims’ families and assured federal assistance for the local investigation and recovery efforts.
