A hot air balloon accident in Brazil’s southern region of Santa Catarina has claimed the lives of at least eight people, according to local governor Jorginho Mello. The incident occurred on Saturday morning when the balloon caught fire while in the sky, deflating and falling to the ground.
The balloon was carrying 21 people, with 13 survivors rescued. Eyewitnesses reported seeing two people fall from above before the basket broke and the balloon fell.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has expressed solidarity with the families of the victims, stating that the Federal Government will provide assistance to those affected.
This is not the first hot air balloon accident in Brazil this month. Two incidents involving balloons occurred last week, with one person dying after a balloon carrying 35 unauthorized passengers fell in São Paulo on Sunday. Another incident occurred on Thursday, resulting in no serious damage or casualties.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/21/americas/dead-hot-air-balloon-accident-brazil-intl