In a devastating incident in Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina, at least eight people have been confirmed dead and 13 others injured following a hot air balloon accident. The tragic event occurred early Saturday morning when a tourism balloon carrying 21 passengers caught fire and subsequently crashed in the city of Praia Grande, located along the picturesque Atlantic coast.
According to reports from Santa Catarina’s military fire brigade, the hot air balloon ignited in flames, sending plumes of smoke billowing into the air as it descended rapidly towards the ground. Eyewitness footage shared by the local news outlet G1 depicted the horrifying moment as the balloon plummeted from a height of dozens of meters. Firefighters swiftly transported the survivors to nearby hospitals for medical attention.
In response to the disaster, Jorginho Mello, the governor of Santa Catarina, expressed his deep sorrow, stating, “We are in mourning. A tragedy has happened.” He emphasized the importance of understanding the circumstances surrounding the crash, adding that “the important thing now is for the state structure to do what it can.” Mello has instructed authorities to mobilize efforts in the municipality to assist with rescue operations and provide support to the affected families.
The hot air balloon company, Sobrevoar, responsible for the ill-fated flight, released a statement asserting that the pilot had “extensive experience” and had adhered to all recommended safety procedures in an attempt to safeguard everyone on board. In light of the tragedy, the company announced the suspension of all its operations for an indefinite period, prioritizing the safety of its passengers.
The ill-fated balloon ride was expected to last approximately 45 minutes, ascending to an altitude of 1,000 meters (or about 3,280 feet). The cost for participating in this hot air balloon adventure was 550 reais, equivalent to around $100 per passenger. Praia Grande is renowned as a popular destination for hot air ballooning, particularly during June festivities celebrating various Catholic saints, including St. John, whose feast day falls on June 24.
This tragic event follows another balloon-related incident that occurred just last Sunday in São Paulo state, where a 27-year-old woman lost her life, and 11 others sustained injuries when a hot air balloon came down unexpectedly. Such occurrences raise significant concerns about the safety measures and regulations governing hot air balloon tours in Brazil.
The ongoing investigation into the Santa Catarina hot air balloon crash aims to uncover the underlying causes and ensure that similar tragedies do not happen in the future. As the community mourns the loss of life, there is a collective hope for healing and improved safety protocols in the tourism industry.
