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Eight Killed as Hot Air Balloon Catches Fire and Crashes in Brazil

Investigators are focusing on strong winds, with a malfunctioning backup burner cited as another likely cause of the mid-air fire that downed a balloon at a June festival in Praia Grande.

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Overview

  • At least eight passengers were killed and thirteen others survived after a hot air balloon caught fire mid-flight and crashed in Praia Grande, Santa Catarina, on June 21.
  • Footage from bystanders and local news outlet G1 showed flames erupting from the basket before the balloon rapidly deflated and plummeted toward wooded terrain.
  • The pilot, one of the survivors, ordered passengers to jump as the balloon descended, though some were unable to escape the blaze before impact.
  • Authorities have launched an investigation focused on strong winds at takeoff, with a backup burner malfunction cited as a possible trigger for the onboard fire.
  • The crash occurred during a popular June ballooning event in Praia Grande, marking the second fatal hot air balloon accident in Brazil within a week.