Image reproduced from 經濟日報

On June 21, 2025, a hot air balloon accident occurred in Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 8 lives, with 2 others rescued. The incident took place in the Praia Grande area, where the balloon suddenly caught fire, erupting into a fireball and swiftly descending to the ground. According to a report by CNN, the governor of Santa Catarina, Jorginho Mello, expressed his shock on the social media platform X, noting that local rescue teams had promptly arrived at the scene.

Governor Mello earlier stated that there were 22 people on board the hot air balloon, and rescue personnel are still searching for additional passengers. Videos circulating on social media show the balloon engulfed in flames mid-air, rapidly losing air pressure and crashing to the ground. The scene was described as extremely harrowing. Following the incident, community residents and volunteers actively participated in rescue efforts, but the intensity of the fire complicated these operations.

Reports indicate that the hot air balloon was flying under the existing weather conditions, and investigations following this accident will focus on assessing the balloon’s safety and the circumstances of the weather at that time. Many social media users expressed their condolences to the victims and expressed their concern regarding the investigation and rescue operations. This tragic hot air balloon incident serves as a stark reminder of the crucial importance of safety during such activities.