PRAIA GRANDE, Brazil (BN24) — A hot-air balloon burst into flames mid-air and crashed to the ground in southern Brazil’s Santa Catarina state on Saturday, killing eight people and injuring 13 others in one of the country’s deadliest ballooning disasters in recent memory.
The tragedy unfolded in Praia Grande, a popular ballooning destination near the Serra do Rio do Rastro mountain range, where the balloon caught fire during flight and fell rapidly with 21 people aboard, including the pilot.
Graphic video footage shared by local outlet G1 and on social media showed the balloon engulfed in flames as it plummeted. In one harrowing clip, two passengers can be seen falling through the air as the fire spread through the aircraft’s basket.
According to Santa Catarina’s military fire brigade, 13 survivors were pulled from the wreckage and taken to nearby hospitals. Among the deceased, three were found embracing each other, a detail shared by state civil police chief Ulisses Gabriel on X. “It hurts the soul,” he wrote.
Officials say the crash occurred just minutes into what was supposed to be a 45-minute flight reaching an altitude of 1,000 meters. The experience reportedly cost around 550 reais (about $100 USD) per passenger.
In a public statement, Santa Catarina Governor Jorginho Mello expressed deep sorrow and pledged full support to the victims and their families. “We are in mourning. A tragedy has happened. Now is the time for the state to act—rescue, assist, bring comfort,” Mello said in a video posted to X.
Initial reports from police suggest the fire broke out inside the basket, possibly from a fuel source or burner malfunction. As the blaze intensified, the pilot ordered passengers to jump when the balloon was close to the ground. “Some managed to jump, others didn’t. The fire grew, and the balloon crashed,” said Tiago Luiz Lemos, Praia Grande’s chief police officer, in comments to Folha de São Paulo.
The crash occurred during Brazil’s June festivities, a time of high tourism in the region and cultural celebrations honoring Catholic saints like St. John, whose feast is on June 24. Balloon rides are a popular activity in the area during this time of year.
The incident comes less than a week after another hot-air balloon mishap in São Paulo state killed a 27-year-old woman and injured 11 others, raising further concerns over ballooning safety standards in Brazil.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the Santa Catarina disaster, including an assessment of the balloon’s licensing, maintenance records, and the pilot’s emergency protocols.
As families mourn and survivors recover, the nation now grapples with the aftermath of a spectacle turned catastrophe—one that has shaken the festive spirit of southern Brazil.
