Hot air balloon in Brazil catches fire mid air, eight dead, several injured

A hot-air balloon accident in Praia Grande, Santa Catarina, Brazil, resulted in the deaths of at least eight people on Saturday morning, according to local authorities. The balloon, which was carrying 21 people including the pilot, caught fire mid-air and crashed into a forested area shortly after 8 am local time.

Images broadcast on Brazilian television and shared across social media platforms showed the balloon engulfed in flames before deflating and plummeting to the ground. The state’s military fire brigade confirmed that the blaze began while the balloon was airborne.

Rescue operations were quickly launched, with 27 firefighters, an aircraft, and nearly a dozen emergency vehicles deployed to the scene. 

According to reports, during a press briefing, state officials stated that the pilot, who survived the crash, informed investigators that the fire was triggered by a reserve gas cylinder stored inside the gondola. 

As the flames spread, the pilot reportedly attempted an emergency descent and instructed passengers to jump to safety. According to officials, some passengers managed to leap from the burning gondola, while others tragically remained inside as it lifted again and eventually crashed.

By Saturday afternoon, four survivors remained hospitalised for burn-related injuries, though none were in critical condition. The other survivors had received treatment and were discharged.

In response to the tragedy, Brazil’s Prime Minister extended condolences to the families of the victims and emphasised that the federal government was ready to support the victims as well as the state and municipal authorities involved in the rescue and recovery efforts.