A devastating hot air balloon accident in the scenic region of Praia Grande, Santa Catarina, Brazil, has left eight people dead and 13 others injured. The incident occurred on Saturday morning when a balloon carrying 21 passengers caught fire mid-flight, leading to a desperate attempt by the pilot to bring it down safely.

Incident Details and Immediate Response

According to reports, the fire began inside the balloon's basket, prompting the pilot to initiate an emergency descent. Officer Tiago Luiz Lemos from the Praia Grande police station explained that the pilot instructed passengers to jump when the balloon was close to the ground. Unfortunately, not all could escape in time, and the balloon, engulfed in flames, eventually crashed due to a loss of suspension.

The victims included two couples, a mother and daughter, an ophthalmologist, and a figure skater. The survivors were promptly taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The balloon tour company, Sobrevoar Serviços Turísticos, has since suspended its operations, asserting that all safety regulations were followed and expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy.

Tourism and Safety Concerns

Praia Grande, often dubbed the "Brazilian Cappadocia," is renowned for its ballooning activities, attracting tourists from around the world. On the day of the accident, about 30 balloons took to the skies over the canyon-filled landscape. Witnesses described the scene as desperate, with some passengers managing to jump to safety while others were trapped by the flames.

Official Reactions and Investigation

Santa Catarina's governor, Jorginho Mello, expressed his condolences and confirmed that rescue workers were dispatched to the scene. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also extended his solidarity to the victims' families and assured that federal resources were available to assist in the aftermath. An investigation by Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac) is underway to determine the cause of the fire and assess the condition of the aircraft and crew.