In Brazil, a tragic hot-air balloon incident led to the death of at least eight individuals when the balloon caught fire and plummeted to the ground, despite 14 passengers managing to escape before the entire craft went up in flames.

The devastating event unfolded today in the southern state of Santa Catarina, specifically in the Praia Grande area, a popular spot for hot air ballooning enthusiasts.

State governor Jorginho Mello initially shared the tragic news of the fatalities on X, although his post has since been removed as the situation continues to evolve.

Some 21 people were onboard, according to his latest update on the social media platform.

But reports do slightly differ, with the state fire department having now confirmed eight deaths and 14 survivors, with two of them hospitalised but not in life-threatening condition – giving a total of 22 people. 

It is thought a woman might have boarded the hot air balloon at the very last minute, creating a possible 22nd victim, who authorities are searching for. 

The cause of the accident is still being investigated and rescue teams are on the ground searching for those not accounted for. 

But the pilot, amazingly, survived, according to Brazilian outlet Jornal Razao, and has since explained how he understands the fire to have started – and how so many survived. 

The fire reportedly started in a back-up burner stored in the basket. 

Somehow, it caught alight, the pilot explained: ‘I don’t know if it stayed lit or if it reignited on its own, but it was the torch that started it all.’ 

After noticing the flames, he immediately tried to lower the balloon, ordering passengers to jump when the craft got close to the ground. 

Some managed to leap to safety, surviving with injuries – but others did not make it out in time. 

The hot air balloon weighed much less after those people had escaped – so it rose up into the sky, carrying the passengers who stayed behind in the basket with it. 

As the fire spread, the balloon detached from the basket, which then began to speed towards the ground. 

Among those who remained in the basket, no one is said to have survived. 

Police and fire crews remain at the scene. 

One astonishing video posted to X, recorded from the ground, shows flames from the burner shooting up towards the balloon. 

It quickly deflates, giving off a large cloud of black smoke – before the basket itself then catches light as the aircraft plunges to the ground at incredible speed.

It then actually detaches from the balloon, hurtling through the air even faster as flames and smoke streak up into the sky. 

An enormous crash and a terrified scream can soon be heard as it falls into a wooded area. 

One resident said, according to Jornal Razao: ‘We saw two people fall on fire. After the basket broke, the balloon fell completely.’ 

Another added: When we arrived, there were two people alive, a woman covered in mud, in shock, and a man limping. 

‘In the pasture, there were two bodies near the horses. The balloon was deeper in the forest, on fire. 

‘The firefighters asked us to move the cars because it could explode, because of the gas.’ 

The coastal Praia Grande area where the shocking accident happened is well-known as a hot air ballooning destination, Brazilian news website G1 reports.

The spot in the extreme south of the Santa Catarina state is often referred to Brazilian Cappadocia, for its similarities to the famous tourist ballooning region in Turkey. 

The state fire department said in a previous statement: ‘The Santa Catarina Military Fire Department (CBMSC) is currently responding to a balloon crash in the municipality of Praia Grande, in the south of the state, which occurred on the morning of Saturday, June 21. 

‘The corporation confirms four deaths at the scene and the other victims are being treated, searched for and evaluated by our teams.’ 

State governor Mr Mello has also said on X: ‘Our teams continue to provide all necessary support to families and victims.

‘We continue to monitor the situation.’ 

It comes less than a week after a woman died during a hot air balloon ride in the Brazilian city of São Paulo. 

Juliana Alves Prado Pereira, 27, a psychologist from the Pouso Alegre region of Brazil’s Minas Gerais state, was on a trip there with her husband Leandro de Aquino Pereira. 

More than 30 people were onboard the hot air balloon – and 11 of them were injured.

This is a breaking news story. More updates to follow.