A hot air balloon carrying 21 passengers burst into flames on Saturday (21 June 2025) in Praia Grande, a coastal town in Brazil’s southern state of Santa Catarina.
Fatal Balloon Crash Claims Eight Lives in Santa Catarina Tourist Destination
Eight people died and 13 survived the accident, according to Santa Catarina governor Jorginho Mello’s announcement on X.
The balloon caught fire during early morning hours while flying over the Atlantic coastal town. The basket carrying the passengers plummeted dozens of metres to the ground while still on fire.
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Survivors were transported to area hospitals for treatment.
A fire department spokesperson told CNN Brasil that none of the 13 survivors faced life-threatening conditions.
Blowtorch Sparked Fire as Investigation Begins
According to police official Tiago Luiz Lemos, the pilot said a blowtorch in the basket sparked the fire.
“Once it was close to the ground, he told the passengers to jump from the basket. But some of them couldn’t do it and the fire grew,” Lemos said.
One witness described the horrific scene to Razao newspaper: “Two people falling, they were on fire, the basket broke off and the balloon fell.”
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed solidarity with victims’ families in a statement.
“I want to express my solidarity with the families of the victims,” Lula said. He added on X that the federal government stands ready to assist local and state forces handling the case.
Popular Tourist Activity in Praia Grande Sees Second Fatal Accident Within Week
Praia Grande serves as a popular destination for hot-air ballooning in Brazil. The Santa Catarina government estimates that 25 to 30 hot-air balloons depart daily from the city during peak season.
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Most balloons operating in the area have the capacity to carry up to 25 people.
Saturday’s crash marked the second fatal balloon accident in Brazil in less than a week. A woman died during a balloon ride in southeastern Sao Paulo state just days before the Praia Grande incident.
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