Eight lives were tragically lost after a hot air balloon carrying 21 people erupted into flames and plummeted from the sky over the scenic landscapes of Praia Grande, Brazil, on Saturday morning.
The hot air balloon, which had taken off for what was supposed to be a peaceful 45-minute flight, turned into a fiery nightmare. As it soared high above Santa Catarina state, passengers were suddenly thrown into chaos when a fire broke out inside the basket.
Footage captured the horrifying moment the balloon went up in flames. According to reports, one footage shows two passengers plummeting to the ground while smoke rose from the burning balloon. A person filmed an individual falling could be heard screaming in one clip.
Among the deceased were three people found embracing one another in their final moments, a heartbreaking image shared by civil police chief Ulisses Gabriel. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, where survivors, including the pilot, were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
According to Praia Grande police, the pilot told authorities that he had started a descent the moment a part of the basket ignited. When the hot air balloon neared the ground, he instructed everyone to jump. “Some of them didn’t manage to jump,” said lead officer Tiago Luiz Lemos. He added that when the fire worsened, the hot air balloon lost altitude and plummeted to the ground.
Governor Jorginho Mello issued a statement expressing that the community is mourning the horrific incident and confirmed that state authorities were requested on-site to assist families and support recovery efforts.
The balloon, operated during Brazil’s June festivities, had reached an altitude of nearly 1,000 metres. Passengers had paid approximately 550 reais for the ride, a common activity in this region known for its beautiful skies and celebration of Catholic saints.
Now, that festive spirit has been replaced by mourning. Families await answers while investigators piece together the cause behind the in-flight blaze.
Just days earlier, another hot air balloon mishap in São Paulo claimed a young woman’s life and left 11 people nursing injuries.
