Image reproduced from 民視新聞網

A severe hot air balloon accident occurred in Praia Grande, a tourist hotspot in Santa Catarina, Brazil, on the morning of the 21st. The balloon, which was carrying 22 people, suddenly caught fire during flight and quickly plummeted to the ground, resulting in at least 8 fatalities.

At the time of the incident, the hot air balloon descended rapidly and deflated upon hitting the ground, indicating a critical situation. Videos circulating on social media show the balloon suddenly erupting in flames before rapidly losing air and crashing, creating a horrifying scene.

In response to the disaster, local authorities initiated emergency rescue operations immediately. Santa Catarina's Governor Jorginho Mello confirmed the situation on social media, stating that rescue teams had reached the site and that 8 deaths had been confirmed, with 2 individuals rescued, while several others remain missing.

The governor expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, emphasizing that authorities are devotedly searching for the missing passengers in hopes of bringing more survivors home. However, the precise cause of the fire and crash of the hot air balloon is still under investigation, with experts conducting thorough checks and analyses.

This incident has drawn widespread attention, raising questions about the safety of hot air balloon tourism. Many netizens have expressed their condolences for the victims and called for further safety inspections on similar activities.

As rescue operations continue, the local community has also launched online fundraising activities to support the families of the victims. The community has called for unity during this challenging time.