Eight dead in Brazil hot air balloon crash – victims include mother and daughter, doctor, and coach

Fire broke out mid-air during a sightseeing ride in Praia Grande, killing eight of the 21 passengers aboard. Survivors describe harrowing moments as they jumped to escape the flames.

A sightseeing flight turned disastrous Saturday morning (June 21) in Praia Grande, Brazil, when a hot air balloon carrying 21 people caught fire and crashed, killing eight. The cause was reportedly a malfunction with the torch used to control the balloon’s altitude.

The pilot, who survived, said he noticed flames in the basket and began an emergency descent. He urged passengers to jump as the balloon neared the ground. Some made it out alive. Others didn’t.

Footage shows the balloon engulfed in flames and thick smoke as it plummeted. According to police, four victims died in the basket; four more died from the fall.

Among the dead were Leise Herrmann Parizotto, a 37-year-old doctor, and her 70-year-old mother, Leane Herrmann. Leise’s sister, Leciane, survived the crash.

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Dr. Andrei Gabriel de Melo, a 34-year-old ophthalmologist, was also killed. In Fraiburgo, his hometown, friends remembered his passion for medicine and described him as someone who “lived with love.”

Another victim, Leandro Luzzi, 36, was a figure skating coach in Brusque. His students and colleagues described him as a role model and devoted mentor.

Janaina Moreira Soares da Rocha, 46, and her husband Everaldo da Rocha, 53, also died. Their 23-year-old daughter Luana jumped from the balloon and survived. She later shared a photo of her parents, writing: “You were everything to me.”

Two more victims were identified as Juliane Sawicki, 36, an agricultural engineer, and her boyfriend Fabio Izycki, 42.

The victims had gathered in Praia Grande for the Corpus Christi holiday weekend. Local authorities are now investigating what caused the fire.

Santa Catarina Governor Jorginho Mello vowed to support the families and called for a thorough investigation.

“This tragedy leaves a deep scar. Now, our focus is on helping the victims and understanding how it happened,” he said.

This is Brazil’s second balloon accident in a week. Just days earlier, another crash in Boituva killed a 39-year-old woman and injured 11 others.

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A weekend that turned into loss

What began as a joyful outing turned into a nightmare. Families now mourn those lost in a matter of minutes — a doctor, a mother and daughter, a skating coach, a young couple, and a loving husband and wife.

Survivors like Luana carry both gratitude and grief, and communities across Santa Catarina are left to process a tragedy that touched many lives.

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