A hot-air balloon caught fire and plummeted to the ground in southern Brazil’s Santa Catarina state on Saturday, claiming eight lives and injuring 13 others. The incident occurred at around 8 a.m., when a fire broke out in the balloon’s basket, forcing the pilot to try and land it.
Thirteen people, including the pilot, managed to jump from the balloon as it fell, but eight were unable to escape due to their weight. Without the others on board, the balloon began rising again, resulting in the tragic outcome.
The crash has sparked an investigation, with authorities promising to make the results public within 30 days. The company behind the hot-air balloon ride, Sobrevoar, has suspended all operations indefinitely and expressed regret over the incident.
This is not the first hot-air balloon accident in Brazil, as a similar incident occurred just last Sunday in Sao Paulo state, resulting in one fatality and 11 injuries. The area’s popularity for hot-air ballooning raises concerns about safety measures and emergency procedures.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/brazil-balloon-fall-49c10b909e0f430a22913f7dd13e2c23