Tourism balloon carrying 21 people went into flames in the early hours of Saturday, colliding in the city of Praia Grande

At least eight people were killed and 13 were injured when a hot air balloon were on fire and collapsed in the southern state of Brazil of Santa Catarina.

The tourism balloon carrying 21 people went into flames in the early hours of Saturday, colliding in the city of Praia Grande on the Atlantic coast, according to the Santa Catarina military brigade.

The footage separated by the local news outflow G1 showed the smoke ass coming from the balloon while falling tens of meters to the ground.

The survivors were transported to nearby hospitals, firefighters said.

“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,” said Jorginho Mello, Governor of Santa Catarina, in a video on X.

Mello said he had asked the authorities to leave for the municipality “to make as much as possible to escape, help, take to the hospital, to comfort families.”

Sobrevoar, the company responsible for the balloon, said the pilot had “extensive experience” and “followed all the recommended procedures in an effort to save everyone on board”.

The company said it was suspending all operations for an indefinite period.

G1 reported that the expected balloon flight time was 45 minutes, with a balloon reaching 1,000 meters (3,280 feet). The trip cost 550 Reais (about $ 100) for the passenger.

Praia Grande is a common destination for hot air balloons, a popular activity in some parts of Southern Brazil during June celebrations celebrating Catholic Saints like St. John, whose day is June 24th.

Last Sunday, a balloon went down to Sao Paulo state, killing a 27-year-old woman and injuring 11 other people, G1 reported.