At least eight people were killed and 13 others were injured after a hot-air balloon carrying 21 passengers crashed on Saturday in Brazil’s southern state of Santa Catarina.
The balloon is said to have caught fire during the flight in the early morning hours, following which it crashed in the city of Praia Grande, news agency Reuters reported, citing the state fire department.
Chilling footage of the incident showed smoke coming from the balloon as it plummeted towards the ground after erupting into flames.
Moment burning hot air balloon PLUMMETS to ground
Terrifying footage of tragedy in southern Brazil
Officials say at least 8 dead and 2 SURVIVORS pic.twitter.com/Q2bC3qZNWW
— RT (@RT_com) June 21, 2025
The injured were taken to hospitals, where they are currently being treated, Santa Catarina’s military fire brigade said, as reported by Associated Press.
Praia Grande is a famous destination for hot-air ballooning, which is a common activity in some parts of Brazil’s south during June festivities that celebrate Catholic saints such as Saint John.
“We are in mourning. A tragedy has happened. We will see how it unfolds, what happened, why it happened. But the important thing now is for the state structure to do what it can,” Gov. Jorginho Mello said in a video on X.
He also said he has directed authorities to head to the municipality “to do as much as possible to rescue, to help, to take to hospital, to comfort the families.”
Just last Sunday, another balloon tumbled from the sky in Sao Paulo state, killing a 27-year-old woman and injuring 11 others, a local news outlet G1 reported.
