A tragic hot air balloon accident claimed the lives of eight people on Saturday morning (June 21) in the Brazilian city of Praia Grande.
Among the victims were a mother and daughter, an ophthalmologist, and a figure skater.
Now, new details emerge about the victims’ final moments — and who was forced to watch as they died.
A fun morning flight turned into a deadly disaster when a hot air balloon carrying 21 people caught fire mid-air and came crashing down in southern Brazil, killing eight and leaving survivors traumatized.
The flight, organized over the picturesque town of Praia Grande in Santa Catarina, was meant to be a peaceful 45-minute joy ride, soaring up to 1,000 meters in altitude. Tickets cost about 550 reais — or roughly $150 per person.
What was meant to be an unforgettable sightseeing adventure turned into panic and tragedy — for both those in the basket and those on the ground.
The pilot’s words
The pilot who miraculously survived has now spoke out about his desperate fight to save those onboard.
”According to the pilot, who is one of the survivors, a fire started inside the basket and then he began to lower the balloon,” Praia Grande’s head police officer Tiago Luiz Lemos told Folha de São Paulo. “When the balloon was very close to the ground, he ordered people to jump out of the basket.”
Footage shared by local outlet G1 shows the balloon fully engulfed in flames, belching smoke as it plummets toward the ground. Moments later, the passenger basket separates and crashes to the earth.
Terrified passengers were seen leaping from the burning craft in mid-air. Some survived. Others didn’t.
The pilot, speaking to Jornal Razão, explained what triggered the blaze: “I don’t know if it stayed lit or if it reignited on its own, but it was the torch that started it all.”
As flames spread through the basket, the pilot made an emergency descent and told passengers to jump when they were low enough. Those who hesitated or couldn’t escape in time were either consumed by the fire or killed in the fall.
“When people started jumping, the balloon got lighter and rose again—still with others inside—before it was fully overtaken by flames,” witnesses told local media.
Governor Jorginho Mello confirmed: “21 people on board — 8 fatalities, 13 survivors. Our teams continue to provide all necessary support to families and victims.”
The victims in the balloon crash
The balloon accident in Brazil affected many people—relatives, friends, and countless others. The tragedy struck the Herrmann family especially hard.
Leise Herrmann Parizotto, 37, a civil servant and doctor from Blumenau, and her mother Leane Elizabeth Herrmann, a 70-year-old retired bank employee, both died in the crash.
But Leane’s other daughter, Leciane, reportedly survived the horrific incident, according to Brazilian media.
Mayor’s words
Dr. Andrei Gabriel de Melo, an 34-year-old ophthalmologist from Santa Catarina, was also killed in the crash. Friends mourned his passing on social media, where, on his professional profile, he had described ophthalmology as an “art.”
The death of ophthalmologist Andrei Gabriel de Melo sparked an outpouring of grief in Fraiburgo, west of Santa Catarina. Mayor Wilson Ribeiro paid tribute, saying:
“Andrei may be gone physically, but the love he planted is eternal. May that love be the strength that supports you during these difficult days.”
Leandro Luzzi, 36, a beloved figure skating coach from Brusque, has also been identified as one of the victims.
On social media, the school where he worked, the city council, and the Santa Catarina figure skating federation all mourned his passing.“Leandro was a dedicated professional athlete, passionate about what he did, and a true role model for athletes, colleagues, and the entire figure skating community. His absence will leave an irreplaceable void in our hearts and in our sport,” the federation said in a statement.
Another terrible family tragedy
Married couple Janaina Moreira Soares da Rocha, 46, and Everaldo da Rocha, 53 were also reported dead. Janaina and Everaldo were devoted members of the Saint John the Baptist parish in Joinville.
They were visiting Praia Grande with their 23-year-old daughter, Luana, who managed to jump from the hot air balloon basket and land in a swampy area, escaping with no visible injuries.
“We celebrated a Mass during their funeral earlier today and there was a massive attendance of our community. Everybody was in shock,” said Father Anderson Pitz, the parish vicar, in an interview with Crux.
Pitz spoke with Luana and described her as being in a “delicate emotional situation.”
“Losing both of your parents at the same time is not easy,” he added.
Shortly after the accident, before the authorities confirmed the deaths of her parents, Luana posted on social media that she was safe after jumping from the basket.
Once their bodies were found, she shared a photo of her parents with herself, writing: “You were everything to me! And all I had were you.”
She also expressed that her mother had been her best friend.
“She lived with them. She’ll now certainly receive support from her extended family. Janaina’s parents are still alive, and both her and Everaldo had siblings,” Pitz explained.
Brazilian news outlets have described the couple as energetic and passionate about sports, often joining friends for bike rides and soccer or volleyball games.
The seventh and eighth victims in the tragedy are reported to be 36-year-old agricultural engineer Juliane Sawicki and her boyfriend, 42-year-old Fabio Izycki
Four victims died inside the burning basket
Local authorities say four victims died inside the burning basket, while four others died from injuries sustained during the fall.
Many of the victims, who came from the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, were visiting Praia Grande to celebrate the Corpus Christi holiday weekend.
Three victims were found embracing each other, Ulisses Gabriel, head of Santa Catarina’s civil police, shared on X.
“It hurts the soul.”
Governor Jorginho Mello posted a video on X saying he had called on officials to go to the town “to do as much as possible to rescue, to help, to take to hospital, to comfort the families.”
“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,” he added.
This is the second serious hot air balloon accident in Brazil in less than a week.
Last Sunday (June 15), a woman died and 11 others were injured when a balloon crashed in Boituva. The woman who lost her life was 39-year-old Juliana Alves Prado Pereira.
Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to all the victims of this tragic accident and their families. May they find strength and comfort during this incredibly difficult time.
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