What was supposed to be a peaceful sunrise balloon ride over one of Brazil’s most breathtaking landscapes ended in unimaginable tragedy.
In the southern state of Santa Catarina, specifically in Praia Grande, often dubbed “Brazil’s Cappadocia,” a hot-air balloon burst into flames mid-air, killing eight people and leaving many others injured.
Flames in the Sky
The chaos unfolded early Saturday morning when one of several balloons floating above the region suddenly caught fire.
Witnesses watched in horror as smoke billowed into the sky and the balloon plummeted toward a wooded area.
In dramatic footage shared online, flames could be seen spreading rapidly as two people fell from the balloon while it descended.
Out of the 21 confirmed people onboard, 13 managed to jump out and survive—some with injuries.
Authorities are now investigating whether a 22nd person, a woman who may have boarded last-minute, was also on the balloon.
Survivor Accounts and a Pilot’s Split-Second Decision
Incredibly, the pilot survived and later described what he believes sparked the fire.
According to him, a backup burner stored in the basket may have either been accidentally switched on or reignited on its own.
As soon as he noticed the flames, he tried to lower the balloon and ordered passengers to jump as they got close to the ground.
Some managed to escape in time.
But once those passengers jumped, the balloon, now lighter, rose again, carrying the remaining passengers higher into the sky.
As the flames took over, the balloon and basket detached mid-air.
The basket then crashed violently into the forest below, killing everyone still inside.
Witnesses Describe the Horror
Local residents rushed to the scene and described it as devastating.
“We saw two people fall while on fire,” one said.
Another added, “There was a woman in shock, covered in mud, and a man limping.
Nearby, we found two bodies.”
Others mentioned the fear of an explosion, as the balloon still had gas canisters.
“Firefighters told us to move our cars just in case,” said a resident.
One person also noted the poor weather that morning, questioning whether it was even a safe day to fly.
A Ballooning Hotspot Marred by Tragedy
The region is no stranger to hot-air ballooning.
Known for its scenic valleys and dramatic cliffs, Praia Grande attracts tourists year-round.
On the day of the crash, around 30 balloons were flying in the area, and the one that crashed was among the last to take off.
It’s not the first ballooning incident in Brazil this month.
Just days earlier, Juliana Alves Prado Pereira, a 27-year-old psychologist, died in another balloon accident near São Paulo, where more than 30 people were on board and 11 were injured.
Leaders React with Shock and Support
Santa Catarina’s governor, Jorginho Mello, addressed the tragedy with visible grief: “We are in mourning.
We don’t yet know exactly why this happened, but our focus now is on helping the families and continuing the rescue efforts.”
Brazilian President Lula da Silva also released a statement, expressing solidarity with the victims’ families and pledging federal assistance to support local authorities.
What Happens Next?
Investigations are now underway to determine the exact cause of the fire and whether safety protocols were followed.
Rescue teams remain on site, searching the wreckage for any additional victims or clues.
The focus is also on supporting survivors and their families, many of whom were on a bucket-list trip that turned into a nightmare.
As Brazil—and the ballooning community—tries to come to terms with yet another fatal flight, safety in adventure tourism is now in the spotlight more than ever.