Hot Air Balloon Crash in Brazil Kills Eight

At least eight people were killed and thirteen others injured after a hot-air balloon caught fire and crashed Saturday morning in Praia Grande, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Authorities reported that between 21 and 22 people, including the pilot, were on board. Video footage showed the balloon engulfed in flames before plummeting, with some survivors jumping from the basket at the pilot's urging as it neared the ground. Search and rescue operations continued for others possibly unaccounted for. The incident follows a similar hot-air balloon accident in Sao Paulo state the previous week that killed one and injured eleven. Hot-air ballooning is especially popular in Brazil during June festivities, particularly in this region.