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:
21 pessoas a bordo – 8 vítimas fatais, 13 sobreviventes.
Nossas equipes seguem prestando todo apoio necessário às famílias e vítimas.
Continuamos acompanhando a situação.
— Jorginho Mello (@jorginhomello) June 21, 2025
Emergency responders rushed to the scene and began the difficult task of rescuing survivors and recovering the deceased. The survivors were