A tragic hot-air balloon accident in Brazil’s southern state of Santa Catarina left eight people dead after the aircraft caught fire mid-air and plummeted to the ground on Saturday, June 21. Thirteen passengers managed to jump to safety before the balloon crashed in the scenic Praia Grande region, a popular destination for ballooning.
According to the Santa Catarina Military Fire Department, 21 individuals were confirmed onboard, with reports suggesting a possible 22nd passenger who may have boarded at the last minute. Rescue teams are still searching the area.
State Governor Jorginho Mello expressed deep sorrow in a statement posted on X: “We are in mourning. A tragedy has happened… the important thing now is for the state structure to do what it can.” He confirmed that emergency crews were deployed to assist survivors and locate those still unaccounted for.
The balloon pilot, who survived the crash, shared with Brazilian media outlet Jornal Razao that the fire originated from a backup burner inside the basket. “I don’t know if it stayed lit or if it reignited on its own, but it was the torch that started it all,” he explained. After noticing the flames, he lowered the balloon and instructed passengers to jump when close to the ground. Those who leapt early survived with injuries, but those who remained were carried back up as the balloon grew lighter—only to fall when the structure collapsed mid-air.
Eyewitness footage circulating online showed the balloon engulfed in flames and eventually separating from the basket, which hurtled into a wooded area with a fiery crash. Local residents reported seeing people fall while on fire and described the scene as “devastating.”
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also extended his condolences: “I would like to express my solidarity with the families of the victims… and place the Federal Government at the disposal of the victims and the state and municipal forces.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The crash comes just days after another fatal balloon incident in São Paulo, raising further questions about ballooning safety in the country.
