A tragic hot-air balloon accident in Brazil’s south has claimed the lives of at least eight people. The balloon, carrying more than 20 individuals, caught fire and plummeted to the ground.

Social media footage captured the moment the multi-colored balloon, engulfed in flames, fell in the state of Santa Catarina on Saturday morning. Witnesses reported seeing occupants falling from the burning aircraft. One witness exclaimed, “My God!” as the basket crashed.

The crash occurred in a scenic, canyon-filled area, approximately 170 miles from Florianópolis, the state capital. This region is a popular tourist destination known as the “Brazilian Cappadocia,” drawing comparisons to the hot-air balloon experiences in Cappadocia, Turkey.

Santa Catarina’s governor, Jorginho Mello, expressed “consternation” regarding the incident, which took place near the town of Praia Grande.He confirmed that rescue teams were dispatched to the scene. “There were 21 people on board – eight fatalities,13 survivors,” Mello stated on X. Some reports indicate that the balloon may have been carrying 22 people.

According to the local newspaper, Jornal Razão, the accident occurred around 7am local time, as approximately 30 balloons were taking off over Praia Grande, also known as the state’s “Canyon Capital”.

A witness told jornal Razão, “When the balloon started to catch fire, people hurled themselves out. They were trying to escape the flames.”

another witness described it as “a desperate scene,” adding,”We [saw] some them throwing themselves out [of the balloon] and others trapped in the fire.”

A reporter from Jornal Razão described “The atmosphere in the area of the tragedy is one of utter disaster.”

Jornal Razão reported that the balloon’s pilot, who survived, informed officials that a reserve torch inside the balloon’s basket ignited the fire.

The pilot reportedly said, “When he noticed the fire, the pilot tried to descend quickly with the balloon. When the aerostat was close to the ground, he ordered the passengers to jump.Some managed to jump out and survived with injuries. Others, however, didn’t get out in time,” according to Jornal razão.

“When the balloon started to catch fire, people hurled themselves out,” one witness told the newspaper. “They were trying to escape the flames.”

Understanding Hot Air Balloon Safety