A hot-air balloon ride ended in tragedy in southern Brazil when the balloon caught fire mid-air, killing eight people. The pilot, who survived, reportedly urged passengers to jump before it crashed.
The accident occurred on June 21 in Praia Grande, Santa Catarina, a popular spot for scenic balloon flights. Of the 21 people onboard, 13 survived, including the pilot.
Police chief Ulisses Gabriel said strong winds made conditions dangerous at takeoff, requiring people to hold the balloon down. A possible gas leak may have triggered the fire, which spread despite flame-retardant materials.
The balloon briefly ascended, then descended, allowing some to escape. But it rose again, still burning, trapping others. “That’s when people started to panic,” Gabriel said. Some jumped; others died from severe burns.
Footage shows the balloon engulfed in smoke and two passengers falling. The pilot believes a backup burner in the basket started the fire. He tried to land the balloon and told passengers to jump once it neared the ground.
Witnesses described harrowing scenes: burning victims falling, wreckage in a forest, and bodies found near a pasture. Around 30 balloons had launched that morning; the crashed one was among the last.
Praia Grande, often called the “Brazilian Cappadocia,” is now the site of one of Brazil’s deadliest balloon accidents. Authorities continue to investigate, citing possible weather or human error as causes.