A tragic hot air balloon accident in southern Brazil claimed the lives of at least eight people and left 13 others injured on Saturday, June 21, 2025. What began as a peaceful sightseeing adventure quickly turned into a catastrophic scene as flames engulfed the balloon mid-flight, sending it crashing to the ground and leaving families devastated.

The incident occurred over Praia Grande, a popular destination for hot air ballooning in the scenic state of Santa Catarina. Operated by the company Sobrevoar Serviços Turísticos, the balloon was carrying a total of 21 people, including the pilot. Witnesses and survivors described terrifying moments as a fire suddenly broke out in the basket. According to official statements and survivor testimonies, the pilot made an urgent decision to bring the balloon down in an attempt to save as many lives as possible.

Law enforcement confirmed that the pilot, who survived, told passengers to jump when the balloon was descending. “According to the pilot, who is one of the survivors, a fire started inside the basket, so he began to lower the balloon,” said Officer Tiago Luiz Lemos in a statement reported by the BBC. “When it was very close to the ground, he told people to jump.”

Thirteen individuals, including the pilot, managed to leap from the basket. Their departure reduced the overall weight of the balloon, which unfortunately caused it to ascend once more with the remaining passengers still aboard. “The flames started to grow and because of the weight loss, the balloon began to rise again,” Officer Lemos explained. “It later fell because of a loss of suspension.” The fire continued to spread rapidly, ultimately leading to the balloon’s collapse and the devastating loss of life.

While investigations are ongoing, preliminary findings suggest the fire may have originated from a backup burner stored inside the basket. The pilot reportedly testified that this burner may have either remained lit or accidentally reignited, triggering the fire. “I don’t know if it stayed lit or if it reignited on its own, but it was the torch that started it all,” he told local outlet Jornal Razao.

Further complicating matters, strong wind conditions at the time of takeoff may have contributed to the tragedy. Chief of Police Ulisses Gabriel indicated that a ground crew had used cables—and at one point a truck—to help stabilize the balloon. Gabriel told Globo News, “There was a truck pulling the balloon with a cable, which was moving very intensely. It’s possible this movement caused a gas leak, which led to the fire.”

Even though the balloon was built with flame-retardant materials, the fire spread swiftly and left little time for those remaining onboard. The identities of the victims have not been fully released, but they included two couples, a mother and daughter, a figure skater, and an ophthalmologist. In a heartbreaking detail, authorities reported that three of the victims were found holding each other in their final moments. “It hurts the soul,” Chief Gabriel posted on social media platform X.

Eyewitnesses at the scene painted a horrifying picture of the accident’s aftermath. “We saw two people fall on fire,” one local resident told Jornal Razao. “After the basket broke, the balloon fell completely.” Another bystander described discovering the crash site: “There were two people alive — a woman covered in mud, in shock, and a man limping. The pasture held two bodies near horses. The balloon had fallen deeper into the woods, burning.”

Emergency responders arrived quickly, urging onlookers to keep their distance due to the risk of gas explosions. Smoke rose thick into the sky as rescue teams combed through the wreckage in search of survivors. According to news outlet G1, the balloon ride had been scheduled to last approximately 45 minutes and reach heights of up to 1,000 meters. Passengers had paid about 550 reais each, which is equivalent to around 100 U.S. dollars.

The tragedy prompted an immediate response from both local and national leaders. Governor Jorginho Mello, who was on an official trip to China at the time, declared a period of official mourning. “We are in mourning; what happened is a tragedy,” he stated in a video address. “We will investigate why this happened. But the important thing now is to reach out to the people and families.”

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also expressed his condolences and pledged federal support. “I place the federal government at the disposal of the victims and the state and municipal forces,” he wrote on X. Praia Grande’s city government released its own statement offering support and solidarity to the grieving families affected by the horrific incident.

In the wake of the crash, the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac) launched a full investigation. The Secretary of Public Safety for Santa Catarina confirmed that findings would be released within 30 days. Interviews are being conducted with all survivors, including the pilot, as officials work to determine the exact cause and whether any safety protocols were overlooked.

Meanwhile, the balloon tour company, Sobrevoar Serviços Turísticos, has suspended all operations indefinitely. In a public statement, the company said, “Even with all necessary precautions and the efforts of our experienced pilot… we are now faced with the pain caused by this tragedy.” The company pledged full cooperation with investigators and extended condolences to the victims’ families.

This is the second fatal hot air balloon incident in Brazil this month. Earlier in June, a 27-year-old woman lost her life and 11 others were injured in a similar accident in São Paulo. The back-to-back incidents have raised serious concerns about the current state of ballooning safety regulations in the country. Authorities are expected to revisit and potentially revise existing safety standards as part of their response.

The loss of life in Praia Grande has left an indelible mark on the community and the nation as a whole. As mourning continues and investigations unfold, Brazil now faces difficult questions about safety oversight and the risks associated with recreational ballooning.