At least eight people have died and 13 others were injured after a hot air balloon crashed in southern Brazil on Saturday.
Shocking footage shows the balloon consumed by flames as it plummets from the sky — just as heartbreaking new details emerge about the final moments of several passengers onboard.
A serene hot air balloon ride turned into a horrifying tragedy Saturday morning (June 21) over Praia Grande, a scenic ballooning hotspot in southern Brazil’s Santa Catarina state. What was meant to be a peaceful glide above the forests and fields ended in disaster when a fire broke out mid-flight, sending the balloon plummeting and leaving eight people dead.
Pilot pleads for passengers to jump
The balloon, operated by Sobrevoar Serviços Turísticos, was carrying 21 people when the disaster unfolded. According to survivors and law enforcement, a fire erupted inside the basket, forcing the pilot to descend quickly.
“According to the pilot, who is one of the survivors, a fire started inside the basket, so he started to lower the balloon,” Officer Tiago Luiz Lemos told reporters, according to BBC. “When it was very close to the ground, he told people to jump.”
Thirteen people, including the pilot, managed to leap to safety before the balloon —lightened by their departure — rose again, carrying the remaining passengers toward a fiery fate.
“The flames started to grow and because of the weight loss, the balloon began to rise again,” Officer Lemos said. “It later fell because of a loss of suspension.”
What sparked the blaze?
The exact cause remains under investigation, but early reports point to a backup burner stored inside the basket. The pilot testified that it may have reignited on its own.
“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 reportedly told Jornal Razao.
Chief of police Ulisses Gabriel added that intense wind conditions at takeoff may have played a role. A ground crew had to stabilize the balloon with cables, and at one point a truck was seen pulling the balloon side to side.
Gabriel told Globo News: “There was a truck pulling the balloon with a cable, which was moving very intensely. It’s possible this movement caused a gas leak, which led to the fire.”
Despite the balloon’s flame-retardant materials, the fire spread rapidly.
Harrowing final moments
The eight victims included two couples, a mother and daughter, a figure skater, and an ophthalmologist. Three were reportedly found embracing one another in their final moments, according to civil police chief Ulisses Gabriel.
“It hurts the soul,” he posted on X.
Witnesses described apocalyptic scenes. “We saw two people fall on fire,” one local told Jornal Razao. “After the basket broke, the balloon fell completely.”
Another described reaching the crash site: “There were two people alive — a woman covered in mud, in shock, and a man limping. The pasture held two bodies near horses. The balloon had fallen deeper into the woods, burning.”
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, warning onlookers to stay back due to leaking gas and explosion risks. Smoke billowed from the wreckage as rescue efforts began.
According to G1, the balloon ride was expected to last about 45 minutes, reaching an altitude of 1,000 meters. Each passenger paid around 550 reais, which is roughly $100.
National mourning
Governor Jorginho Mello, currently on an official mission in China, declared a period of mourning. “We are in mourning; what happened is a tragedy,” he said in a video message. “We will investigate why this happened. But the important thing now is to reach out to the people and families.”
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also issued a statement of solidarity. “I place the federal government at the disposal of the victims and the state and municipal forces,” he wrote on X.
Praia Grande’s city hall echoed the sentiment, offering support and condolences to the grieving families.
Investigation and suspension of operations
Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac) has launched a full investigation. Santa Catarina’s public safety secretary said results would be released within 30 days. All survivors, including the pilot, are being interviewed.
Sobrevoar Serviços Turísticos, the balloon tour company, has suspended operations indefinitely. “Even with all necessary precautions and the efforts of our experienced pilot… we are now faced with the pain caused by this tragedy,” the company said.
Brazil’s ballooning under scrutiny
This is the second fatal hot air balloon incident in Brazil in recent days. Earlier this month, a 27-year-old woman died in São Paulo, and 11 others were injured. The incidents have prompted renewed concerns about ballooning safety standards.
Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.
