A tragic hot air balloon accident in southern Brazil has resulted in the loss of eight lives and left 13 others injured, as confirmed by officials on Saturday.
The incident took place in Santa Catarina when the balloon caught fire mid-air and crashed. Governor Jorginho Mello shared the news on social media platform X, as reported by the AP and AFP.
Eyewitnesses recorded the terrifying moment: the balloon erupted in flames while still soaring high. In mere seconds, the fire engulfed the envelope, causing the passenger basket to detach and fall to the ground from a great height.
This marks the second deadly hot air balloon accident in Brazil within just a week. The previous Sunday, a similar incident in São Paulo claimed the life of one woman and injured 11 others.
Hot air balloon rides are quite popular in certain areas of southern Brazil, especially during the festive season in June, which features celebrations for Catholic saints like St. John. These traditional events typically attract large crowds and are filled with various festivities, including balloon flights—a cherished tradition that is now under increased scrutiny following these recent tragedies.
