Praia Grande, Brazil – A scenic hot air balloon ride over the dramatic canyons of southern Brazil turned into a fiery nightmare on Saturday, killing at least eight people after the balloon’s basket caught fire mid-air, causing some passengers to leap to their deaths to escape the flames.
The tragedy unfolded in the skies above Praia Grande, a popular tourist destination in the state of Santa Catarina, renowned for its stunning landscapes and burgeoning adventure tourism scene. There were 21 people on board the balloon, operated by the company Sobrevoar, when the flight took a horrific turn. Thirteen people, including the pilot, managed to survive.
According to preliminary reports from local authorities and eyewitness accounts, a fire erupted in the passenger basket shortly after the 8 a.m. flight began. The pilot reportedly attempted an emergency descent, urging passengers to jump as the balloon neared the ground.
While some were able to escape the advancing flames by leaping from the basket, the situation quickly escalated. As the weight in the basket lightened, the balloon, still partially inflated and ablaze, shot upwards again before plummeting to the ground.
“It was a scene of horror,” one local witness told Brazilian media. “People were screaming. You could see the fire and then people falling.”
Emergency services rushed to the scene of the crash. Officials have confirmed that eight people perished in the incident. An investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched by Brazil’s aviation authorities.
Santa Catarina Governor Jorginho Mello expressed his condolences, calling the crash a “tragedy” and assuring a thorough investigation. “Our priority now is to support the victims and their families,” Mello stated in a press conference.
The company, Sobrevoar, which has suspended all operations, said in a statement that it is cooperating fully with the investigation and that the pilot was experienced and certified.
This is the second fatal ballooning incident in Brazil in recent weeks. Just last week, a similar accident in São Paulo state resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries, raising serious questions about the safety regulations governing the growing adventure tourism industry in the country.
The picturesque region of Praia Grande has been increasingly marketed as a premier destination for hot air ballooning. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and the tourism sector, which now faces scrutiny over its safety protocols.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims as they work to notify their families. The survivors are being treated at local hospitals for various injuries, with some reported to be in serious condition. The investigation is expected to focus on the cause of the initial fire and the safety equipment and procedures on board the aircraft.
