To be a beautiful adventure over the southern Brazilian hills, it turned into a nightmare on Saturday, when a hot-air balloon carrying 21 people fired mid-flight and crashed in Priya Grande, Santa Katrina. At least eight people were killed, local and state officials confirmed.
Flames in the sky
According to the Santa Katrina Fire Department, the tragedy emerged in the morning as the balloon suddenly felt in the air. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but officials say the accident was violent and left a chaotic scene for the first respondents.
Emergency teams reached the accident site, rescued the remaining people and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals. The identity of the deceased has not been released yet.
A popular tourist activity now under investigation
Praia Grande is known for riding her hot-air balloon, offering a panoramic view of the stunning Southern scenarios of Brazil. Saturday’s deadly incident has shocked the local tourism industry, in which balloon operators have suspended the pending ride to the result of the investigation.
Officials ask for answers
Authorities have initiated a complete investigation into the accident, focusing on safety standards, operator licensing and balloon maintenance records. Initial principles suggest that a possible fuel leakage or burner malfunction has caught fire.
The civil defense spokesperson said, “This is a deep painful moment for the families of the victims, and we will make every effort to understand how this tragedy happened.”
A peaceful glide over the clouds was believed to have become a fierce decline on Earth. The Brazil Hot-Air Balloon accident has raised serious concerns over flight security and cast a somber cloud on a favorite tourist experience.