PRAIA GRANDE, Brazil — A scenic morning flight turned into disaster in southern Brazil when a commercial hot air balloon carrying 22 people caught fire mid-flight, leaving eight people dead and 13 others injured.
The tragedy occurred in the municipality of Praia Grande, a region in Santa Catarina state famous for its dramatic canyon landscapes and popular aerial tourism. According to local emergency services, the aircraft was just minutes into its scheduled 45-minute flight when a fire suddenly erupted inside the passenger basket.
A Desperate Emergency Landing
As flames quickly began to spread through the basket at an altitude of roughly 1,000 meters, the experienced pilot immediately initiated an emergency descent.
According to local police and fire officials, as the balloon neared the ground, the pilot ordered the passengers to jump from the basket to save themselves. Thirteen people, including the pilot, managed to leap to safety, sustaining various injuries.
Tragically, the sudden loss of weight caused the fire-damaged balloon to rapidly shoot back up into the air before anyone else could escape. Local authorities reported that four of the victims died from the fire inside the basket, while another four died from the subsequent fall as the balloon deflated and plummeted into a nearby wooded area.
Investigation and Aftermath
Santa Catarina’s Military Fire Brigade and civil police arrived quickly at the scene, transporting the 13 survivors to nearby hospitals. Officials confirmed that while the survivors suffered fractures and burns, none are currently believed to have life-threatening injuries.
“We are in mourning. A tragedy has happened,” Santa Catarina Governor Jorginho Mello said in a public statement, promising that the state would do everything possible to support the victims’ families. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also expressed his solidarity and offered federal assistance.
The company operating the flight, Sobrevoar, released a statement expressing deep grief over the tragedy. They noted that the pilot possessed extensive experience and had followed all emergency protocols in a desperate attempt to save the passengers. The company has suspended all operations indefinitely.
Civil aviation authorities and local police have launched a formal investigation into the exact cause of the onboard fire. Investigators are currently reviewing eyewitness mobile phone footage and analyzing the debris of the basket and burner system to determine what triggered the fatal blaze.
