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At least eight people have died after an accident involving a hot -air balloon in the southern region of Brazil’s Santa Catarina on Saturday, according to the local governor.

“We are all shocked by the accident involving a balloon in Praia Grande, this Saturday morning. Our rescue team is already in place … So far, we have confirmed eight deaths,” said local governor Jorginho Mello on X.

He said 21 people were on board; 13 others survived.

The video posted on social media shows a hot air balloon catching fire while in the sky. The balloon then slanders and falls to the ground.

“We saw two people fall from above, and immediately after the basket broke down, and the balloon fell,” an eyewitness told local media Jornal Razão.

The ocular witness said she ran to see where the balloon fell and saw two survivors, “a woman covered in mud and in a state of shock, and a man with her who was lame,” as well as two bodies.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his solidarity with the families of the victims on X. “I would like to make the federal government available to the victims and the state and the municipal forces working to rescue and care for survivors,” he said.

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 Saint John, reports the Associated Press news agency.

“My solidarity with the city of Praia Grande … we are in mourning. It is a tragedy that happened. We will control the developments, what happened and why it happened,” Mello said in a video statement on X.

According to CNN CNN Brasil associate, Saturday’s incident was the third that included a hot air balloon in Brazil in less than a week. Last Sunday, a balloon holding 35 people – which had no authorization to fly – fell to São Paulo. One person died and The pilot was arrested.

Last Thursday, another Balloon fell to São Paulo coastAlthough no serious damage was caused and no house was hit.

This is a developing story and will be updated.