Tragedy in Brazil: A hot air balloon caught fire in the air. At least eight people died – video

At least eight people died after a hot air balloon carrying over 20 people caught fire in the south of Brazil, reports News.ro citing The Guardian.

The images posted on the social networks showed the moment when the multicolored balloon fell to the ground, filled with flames, in the state of Santa Catarina, on Saturday morning.

At least two of the occupants of the balloon can be seen dripping to the ground while the fire extends. “God!”, A witness is heard shouting as the basket collapses to the ground.

🚨 #Tragédia Oito Pessoas Morrem Em Queda by Balăo Que Pegou Fogo Em Praia Grande (SC)

Veículo transport ao toodo 21 pessas, segundo o governo by Santa Catarina; OS DEMAIS FRAM REGATADOS. Ocorrência foi Em Praia Grande, tradicational boning of bononism. pic.twitter.com/uzgyo345b

– Paraíba news (@paraibanewslive) June 21, 2025

The picturesque region, full of canyons, where the accident took place – about 270 kilometers from the state capital, Florianópolis – is an important tourist destination, known as “Brazilian Cappadocia”, after the Turkish region where spectacular hot air balloons are popular.

The governor of the state of Santa Catarina, Jorginho Mello, expressed his “dismay” on the incident that took place near Praia Grande and said that rescue teams were sent to the scene. “[Erau] 21 people on board – eight dead and 13 survivors, ”Mello wrote on X. Other reports indicated that the ball was carrying 22 people.

Atualiza do two acts:

21 Pessoas a Bordo – 8 Vítimas Fatais, 13 Sobrevivits.

Nossas equipes Seguem prestando toodo apoio necessario às family e vítimas.

Continuamos Acompanhando a sit.

– Jorginho mello (@jorginhomello) June 21, 2025

A local newspaper, Jornal Razão, wrote that the incident occurred around 07:00 in the morning, when about 30 balloons took off over Praia Grande, nicknamed the “Canal Capital” of the state.

“When the ball began to set fire, people threw themselves from it,” a witness told the newspaper. “They were trying to get rid of flames.”

“It was a desperate scene,” said another witness quoted by the newspaper. “I saw some throwing themselves from the balloon, and others staying trapped.”

“The atmosphere in the tragedy area is one of total disaster,” wrote one of the newspaper reporters in his report from the accident site.

Jornal Razão reported that the balloon pilot – which seems to be among the survivors – told the authorities that the fire was caused by a spare torch that was in the ball basket.

“When he noticed the fire, the pilot tried to go down quickly with the balloon. When the aerostat approached the ground, he asked the passengers to jump. Some managed to jump and survived.

My Deus! A relationship do piloto, um dos sobrevivits, reveal o Momento Em Que Tudo Saiu Do Controlle. O fogo comçou dentro do cesto. Quando o balão is approximately chão, they gritou paras os passageiros pulassem. Alguns we consistent. Outros Não. A sub -navo sub -ballao… is… e… pic.twitter.com/trv7krfvgn

– Jornal Razo (@jornalrazao) June 21, 2025