Hot-Air Balloon Crash Kills Eight in Southern Brazil Tourist Region

A hot-air balloon carrying 21 passengers crashed in Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina, killing eight people and injuring 13 others. The balloon caught fire mid-air near Praia Grande, a popular tourist region known as the 'Brazilian Cappadocia,' with videos showing passengers falling as the flames engulfed the balloon. The pilot survived and reported that the fire likely started from a backup torch inside the basket, and witnesses said some passengers jumped to escape the fire before the balloon crashed. Authorities and rescue teams responded quickly to the remote crash site, while investigations suggest strong winds caused instability during takeoff, possibly leading to a gas leak and the balloon's flammable tarpaulin catching fire. Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed condolences and offered federal assistance, and the balloon company stated it complied with all safety regulations and had a clean accident record. The tragedy has raised widespread mourning and calls for further investigation into the cause of the accident.