Brazil hot air balloon crash in Santa Catarina kills 8, injures 13 At least eight people were killed and 13 injured after a hot air balloon caught fire and crashed in Praia Grande, Brazil, on Saturday. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident and possible safety violations.

New Delhi:

At least eight people died and 13 others were injured when a hot-air balloon carrying 21 passengers caught fire mid-flight and crashed on Saturday morning in Praia Grande, a popular tourist spot in Brazil’s southern state of Santa Catarina. The crash occurred during the region’s traditional June festivities, authorities said.

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Dramatic footage captures fireball descent

Local news outlet G1 released harrowing footage showing the balloon engulfed in flames, spewing thick smoke as it plummeted toward the ground. Emergency responders rushed to the scene following the crash, which also involved the pilot among the survivors.

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Governor confirms casualties, offers support

Santa Catarina Governor Jorginho Mello confirmed the casualties on social media platform X, noting, “Our teams continue to provide all necessary support to families and victims. We continue to monitor the situation.”

Survivors hospitalised

The state’s military fire brigade reported that 13 survivors were transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. Their current conditions have not been disclosed.

Safety concerns raised

The crash has sparked serious questions about safety regulations for balloon tours in the region, which sees a spike in airborne activity during the June festivals. Authorities are investigating whether the operator followed proper safety protocols and if weather or technical failure contributed to the fire.

Repeat incident follows São Paulo crash

This accident comes just a week after a similar balloon crash in São Paulo state, which killed one woman and injured 11 others, underscoring growing concerns over ballooning safety ahead of increasingly popular festival-period flights.

(AP inputs)

Eight people were killed after a hot-air balloon caught fire and fell from the sky on Saturday morning in Praia Grande, located in Brazil’s southern state of Santa Catarina, officials confirmed.

The military fire brigade of Santa Catarina said the balloon was carrying 21 people, including the pilot, at the time of the accident. Thirteen passengers survived and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Rescue teams continued operations at the crash site to ensure no one was left unaccounted for.

At least eight people have died in a hot air balloon accident in Brazil, a state governor has said.

There were 21 people on board the balloon in the city of Praia Grande on Saturday morning, Governor of Santa Catarina Jorginho Mello said in a post on X.

Mello said 13 people… pic.twitter.com/NwHWQImBvI — Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) June 21, 2025

Dramatic footage published by local outlets showed the balloon engulfed in fire, trailing smoke as it plunged toward the ground. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Praia Grande is a well-known destination for hot-air ballooning, especially during June festivities that honor Catholic saints like Saint John. Santa Catarina Governor Jorginho Mello expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy in a post on X. “We are all shocked by the accident,” he wrote.

(More details to follow)

Eight killed and 13 injured as a flaming hot-air balloon crashes in Santa Catarina, Brazil

Rio De Janeiro: A tragic accident unfolded in Brazil’s southern state of Santa Catarina on Saturday after a hot-air balloon caught fire mid-flight and plummeted to the ground, killing eight people, according to firefighters.

Dramatic footage showed the balloon engulfed in flames, plummeting rapidly while trailing thick plumes of smoke.

Thirteen people survived and were taken to hospitals, Santa Catarina’s military fire brigade said, adding that 21 people were on board including the pilot.

“21 people on board – 8 fatalities, 13 survivors. Our teams continue to provide all necessary support to families and victims. We continue to monitor the situation,” Governor Jorginho Mello said on X.

The basket carrying the passengers plummeted dozens of meters to the ground in flames.

An investigation was launched to determine the cause of the accident.

Praia Grande, on the Atlantic coast, is a popular destination for hot-air ballooning in Brazil.

Last Sunday, a balloon fell in Sao Paulo state, killing a 27-year-old woman and injuring 11 others, G1 reported.

Praia Grande is a common destination for hot-air ballooning, a popular activity in some parts of Brazil’s south during June festivities that celebrate Catholic saints such as Saint John.

(with inputs from AP and AFP)

At least eight people were killed after a hot-air balloon carrying 21 passengers crashed on Saturday in Brazil’s southern state of Santa Catarina, local and state officials said.

The tourism balloon caught fire during the flight in early morning hours, crashing in the city of Praia Grande, according to the state fire department.

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Thirteen survivors were transported to nearby hospitals, according to the fire department.

A hot air balloon carrying 21 people caught fire mid-air and crashed in Brazil’s Santa Catarina state, killing eight. Thirteen people survived with injuries. Rescue teams continue to search and support the affected families.

A hot air balloon crashed in Brazil’s southern state of Santa Catarina on Saturday after catching fire in mid-air. The accident happened in Praia Grande, a popular spot for balloon rides during June festivals.

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Eight people confirmed dead, 13 survive

Officials confirmed that eight people died in the crash. Thirteen others survived and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The military fire brigade said 21 people were on board, including the pilot.

Videos show balloon in flames

Several videos shared on social media showed the balloon engulfed in flames high in the sky before it lost shape and fell rapidly. Smoke was seen billowing from the balloon as it crashed to the ground.

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Governor responds to the incident

Santa Catarina Governor Jorginho Mello said on social media that rescue teams were working at the scene. “Our teams continue to provide all necessary support to families and victims. We continue to monitor the situation,” he posted.

Ballooning under safety spotlight after back-to-back accidents

This is the second hot air balloon accident in Brazil in just one week. Last Sunday, another balloon crash in São Paulo state killed a 27-year-old woman and injured 11 people.

Balloon rides are a popular attraction in southern Brazil, especially during June festivals that celebrate Catholic saints such as Saint John. The two back-to-back accidents have now raised serious questions about safety standards in the ballooning industry.