The tragedy occurred on Saturday in Praia Grande, a popular hot-air balloon ride in Brazil. According to the governor of Santa Catarina, eight people died and thirteen survived after a hot-air balloon with 21 people on board caught fire.
The balloon's basket caught fire in mid-air and fell from the sky. According to eyewitnesses, some passengers jumped out during the fire, but not all survived.
Firefighters said 13 survivors were taken to hospitals. Five of them were taken to Our Lady of Fatima hospital – three are in good condition, and two have been discharged. There are no reports of other patients.
=According to the investigation, the fire started with a blowtorch used to light the balloon. The pilot attempted to bring the balloon down immediately, but not all the passengers jumped in time, so the fire got worse.
According to a fire department official, four people were burned alive and four died in the fall. Another witness said he saw two people fall while burning.
This is the second hot-air balloon incident in Brazil in just a week.
