A horrifying hot air balloon accident in Santa Catarina, Brazil has left eight people dead and 13 others injured after the aircraft caught fire midair and plummeted to the ground.
The tragic incident, captured on video, unfolded over what appeared to be a construction site as panicked onlookers watched helplessly from below.
The dramatic footage shows the balloon’s burner igniting a blaze that quickly engulfed the basket, sending flames shooting into the air. As the fire spread, the balloon lost lift and began to descend.
NOW – Hot air balloon crashed in Praia Grande, Brazil.pic.twitter.com/a0BveukfAU
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) June 21, 2025
Moments later, the basket separated from the balloon entirely, plunging to the earth while the balloon’s canopy drifted down slowly in the background.
Santa Catarina Governor Jorginho Mello confirmed the casualties in an official statement on social media.
Atualização do acidente:
— Jorginho Mello (@jorginhomello) June 21, 2025
21 pessoas a bordo – 8 vítimas fatais, 13 sobreviventes.
Nossas equipes seguem prestando todo apoio necessário às famílias e vítimas.
Continuamos acompanhando a situação.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene and began the difficult task of rescuing survivors and recovering the deceased. The survivors were taken to nearby hospitals, some with severe burns and trauma-related injuries. The identities of the victims have not yet been released.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire, but initial reports suggest the blaze began in or near the burner unit, which may have malfunctioned or leaked fuel.
Witnesses at the scene described a loud noise followed by fire erupting beneath the balloon, indicating a possible explosion or catastrophic equipment failure.
This is the second balloon-related tragedy in Brazil within a week. Just last Sunday, another hot air balloon crash occurred in São Paulo, resulting in one death and 11 injuries, according to Sky News. That crash also involved multiple passengers and raised concerns about the safety standards and regulation of balloon tourism in the country.
Brazilian aviation authorities have launched a formal investigation and are expected to release more details in the coming days. Officials are also reviewing the operator’s compliance with safety protocols and licensing requirements.
What was meant to be a scenic airborne experience turned into a nightmare for 21 unsuspecting passengers. The nation now mourns another preventable disaster, with calls growing louder for stricter safety oversight of adventure tourism operations.