Hot air balloon crash in Brazil kills eight people
At least eight people have been killed after a hot air balloon carrying 21 passengers crashed in Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina, local and state officials say. Footage shared by local news outlet G1 showed billows of smoke coming from the balloon, which was in flames as it hurtled toward the ground in the municipality of Praia Grande. A video on social media shows two people falling through the air as the fire spread onboard the aircraft. Thirteen survivors were transported to nearby hospitals, according to the fire department. Footage shared by local news outlet G1 showed billows of smoke coming from the balloon in flames as it hurtled towards the ground.
The crash happened about 8am Saturday local time, military firefighter Zevir Cipriano said. A fire started in the basket, prompting the pilot to try to land the balloon. Thirteen people, including the pilot, managed to jump out but eight were unable to. Without the weight of the others, the balloon began rising again. "These people ended up dying — four charred and another four jumped out of the balloon when it was falling," Cipriano Jr said. Three people died hugging each other, said Ulisses Gabriel, chief of Santa Catarina's civil police force, on X. "We are in mourning. A tragedy has happened. We will see how it unfolds, what happened, why it happened. But the important thing now is for the state structure to do what it can," Governor Jorginho Mello said in a video on X. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his solidarity with victims' families and said he was placing the federal government at the disposal of victims and local authorities. Mello said he had asked authorities to head to the municipality "to do as much as possible to rescue, to help, to take to hospital, to comfort the families". The balloon's expected flight time was 45 minutes, G1 said, with the balloon reaching 1000 metres and cost 550 reais (about $A150) per passenger. Sobrevoar, the company responsible for the multi-coloured balloon, said it complied with all regulations and had a clean accident record before Saturday. Praia Grande is a common destination for hot air ballooning, a popular activity in some parts of Brazil's south during June festivities that celebrate Catholic saints such as Saint John. Last Sunday, a balloon fell in Sao Paulo state, killing a 27-year-old woman and injuring 11 others, G1 reported.
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SBS Australia
6 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Hot air balloon crash in Brazil kills eight people
At least eight people have been killed after a hot air balloon carrying 21 passengers crashed in Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina, local and state officials say. Footage shared by local news outlet G1 showed billows of smoke coming from the balloon, which was in flames as it hurtled toward the ground in the municipality of Praia Grande. A video on social media shows two people falling through the air as the fire spread onboard the aircraft. Thirteen survivors were transported to nearby hospitals, according to the fire department. Footage shared by local news outlet G1 showed billows of smoke coming from the balloon in flames as it hurtled towards the ground. The crash happened about 8am Saturday local time, military firefighter Zevir Cipriano said. A fire started in the basket, prompting the pilot to try to land the balloon. Thirteen people, including the pilot, managed to jump out but eight were unable to. Without the weight of the others, the balloon began rising again. "These people ended up dying — four charred and another four jumped out of the balloon when it was falling," Cipriano Jr said. Three people died hugging each other, said Ulisses Gabriel, chief of Santa Catarina's civil police force, on X. "We are in mourning. A tragedy has happened. We will see how it unfolds, what happened, why it happened. But the important thing now is for the state structure to do what it can," Governor Jorginho Mello said in a video on X. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his solidarity with victims' families and said he was placing the federal government at the disposal of victims and local authorities. Mello said he had asked authorities to head to the municipality "to do as much as possible to rescue, to help, to take to hospital, to comfort the families". The balloon's expected flight time was 45 minutes, G1 said, with the balloon reaching 1000 metres and cost 550 reais (about $A150) per passenger. Sobrevoar, the company responsible for the multi-coloured balloon, said it complied with all regulations and had a clean accident record before Saturday. Praia Grande is a common destination for hot air ballooning, a popular activity in some parts of Brazil's south during June festivities that celebrate Catholic saints such as Saint John. Last Sunday, a balloon fell in Sao Paulo state, killing a 27-year-old woman and injuring 11 others, G1 reported.
SBS Australia
6 days ago
- SBS Australia
Manhunt underway for gunman who killed Minnesota Democratic leader
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That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honour and responsibility." Authorities later discovered Boelter's car in rural Sibley County, southwest of Minneapolis. Inside, they found what police chief Mark Bruley described as a manifesto naming other politicians and officials. Chief Bruley confirms the car was used by the suspect and reveals its contents. "What I will tell you, when we did a search of the vehicle there was a manifesto that identified many lawmakers and other officials. We immediately made alerts to the state, who took action on alerting them and providing security where necessary." The discovery of that car triggered an emergency alert to locals in Faxon Township. Officers armed with rifles and accompanied by sniffer dogs scoured surrounding fields and wooded areas. Ben Wagner lives nearby and told reporters he was shaken by the sudden police presence. He describes the tension and surprise in his rural neighbourhood. "I feel safe. I'm not too worried about it. I mean, obviously, it's concerning but there's a huge police presence and I feel protected. Scary, but in the same sense, I'm not too scared. ... "I haven't heard anything really. Just from Facebook and other alerts, just finding out that it's happening here. So that was kind of weird to see your street name being named, but haven't heard anything, haven't seen anything. I can see the car from here but, other than that, nothing." The FBI has now offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Boelter's arrest. Minnesota Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar says the suspect is likely still in the Midwest and may be dangerous. "We believe he's somewhere in the vicinity and that they are going to find him. But right now, everyone's on edge here, because we know that this man will kill at a second." Residents are urged to stay alert and report any sightings. Tributes now cover the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol, with flowers, messages, and a photo of Melissa and Mark Hortman. One note reads: You were our leader through the hardest of times. Rest in power. Leaders including Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, and Mike Johnson have condemned the attack, calling for an end to political violence and warning that democracy cannot survive when disagreement leads to bloodshed.
ABC News
10-06-2025
- ABC News
Police say 10 people killed in Austrian school shooting, including alleged perpetrator
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