Tragic Hot Air Balloon Crash Claims Eight Lives

What began as a routine sightseeing adventure turned into a devastating tragedy in southern Brazil on the morning of June 21, when a hot air balloon caught fire mid-flight and crashed, killing at least eight people and injuring 13 others.

The balloon, operated by the tourism company Sobrevoar Serviços Turísticos, had taken off from Praia Grande in Santa Catarina, a popular area known for its breathtaking aerial views. Onboard were 21 people expecting a peaceful ride over lush forests and rolling hills. Instead, a fire erupted in the balloon’s basket during the flight, sparking chaos and a frantic attempt to land.

According to survivors, the blaze started inside the basket. Tiago Luiz Lemos, the pilot who made it out alive, described the harrowing moments as he attempted an emergency descent and urged passengers to jump before impact. Thirteen individuals, including Lemos, managed to escape by leaping out. As the balloon shed weight, it ascended once more, carrying the remaining eight passengers until it lost lift and crashed to the ground, engulfed in flames.

“The fire intensified quickly, and as people jumped, the reduced weight caused the balloon to rise again,” Lemos recounted. “Eventually it lost support and came down.”

Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been triggered by a backup burner reigniting unexpectedly. Windy conditions at takeoff led ground crews to use cables and even a truck to stabilize the balloon—factors that, according to civil police chief Ulisses Gabriel, may have caused a gas leak that ignited the blaze. Though the materials used were designed to resist fire, the flames spread rapidly and proved uncontrollable.

Among the eight victims were a pair of couples, a mother and her daughter, a medical professional, and a figure skater. In a heartbreaking discovery, three of the victims were found locked in an embrace. Witnesses described the horror of seeing passengers fall from the balloon and finding bodies scattered in a nearby pasture, some near horses. Rescue workers pulled survivors from the wreckage—some injured, others covered in mud and visibly traumatized—as they battled fire and leaking gas at the scene.

The incident has left the country in mourning. Governor Jorginho Mello, who was traveling abroad, declared an official mourning period. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva extended condolences and assured federal support for the families and the investigation.

Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac) has launched a full investigation, with an initial report expected within 30 days. Sobrevoar Serviços Turísticos has halted all operations indefinitely and issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the incident, while also stating that proper safety protocols had been followed.

This marks the second fatal hot air balloon accident in Brazil in a matter of weeks. A separate incident in São Paulo earlier in June left one woman dead and several others injured, raising serious concerns about the safety of balloon tourism in the country.

Each passenger had paid around $100 for what was supposed to be a 45-minute scenic flight reaching heights of around 1,000 meters. What was meant to be a joyful and memorable experience instead became a tragic event that has deeply impacted the region and reignited scrutiny over aviation safety standards.