Hot Air Balloon Tragedy in Brazil Claims Eight Lives
A devastating hot air balloon accident in Brazil’s Praia Grande has resulted in at least eight fatalities, according to officials. The incident occurred during a morning flight, leaving the community and authorities grappling with the aftermath and launching an investigation into the cause of the tragedy.
Details of the Accident
A hot air balloon carrying 21 individuals crashed in Praia Grande, Brazil, on Saturday. Jorginho Mello, the Governor of Santa Catarina, reported the deaths on X. Thirteen people, including the pilot, survived the accident. The state government press office announced that no one is missing.
Informo que determinei que toda a estrutura do Estado seja enviada para resgatar, ajudar e confortar as famílias das vítimas do acidente com o balão em Praia Grande. Estou acompanhando tudo, em missão oficial na China. Estamos em luto, o que aconteceu é uma tragédia. Vamos investigar o porquê disso, mas o importante agora é fazer de tudo para amparar as pessoas e as famílias. pic.twitter.com/vXw04U0i1u
— Jorginho Mello (@JorginhoMello) April 27, 2024
The balloon came down close to a health center, according to the government press office. Tiago Luiz Lemos, an officer from the Praia Grande police station, shared that the pilot, who survived, indicated a fire inside the basket. The pilot then began descending the balloon. He instructed people to jump as they got closer to the ground. Some could not get out as the flames grew and the balloon began to rise again due to the weight.
“They started to jump, but some people did not manage to. The flames started to grow and because of the weight, the balloon began to rise again.”
—Tiago Luiz Lemos, Praia Grande police station officer
Statistics reveal that, on average, about 10-20 hot air balloon accidents happen worldwide yearly, highlighting the inherent risks in this form of recreational activity (World Ballooning Association). Thirteen survivors were transported to nearby hospitals by the state government press office.
Response and Investigation
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his solidarity with the victims’ families on X. He also stated that the federal government is available to support the victims. State and municipal forces are helping with rescues and providing care to the survivors.
About Praia Grande
Praia Grande, situated in southern Santa Catarina, is a popular tourist destination. It’s well-known for its ballooning activities. Authorities will now investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine the causes and any safety lapses.
