In an interview with CNN, Colonel Maurício Correa, commander of the Rio Grande do Sul fire department, detailed what is known about the aircraft crash in the city of Gramado (RS), this Sunday morning (22). Ten people on board died in the crash and another 17 were injured on the ground.
Rescue and firefighting operation
According to Colonel Correa, the initial priority was to fight the flames and locate people, including guests and employees of the inn. Some victims had severe burns and were immediately taken to hospitals in the region with the support of the Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU).
After controlling the fire, the rescue teams, together with forensic experts, began removing the debris and the aircraft’s fuselage in search of the bodies of the victims who were inside the plane.
Accident dynamics
The commander explained that, based on , it is believed that there was a fuel leak after the initial impact, which resulted in the explosion. The plane first hit the top floor of a building under construction, then hit another residence and finally collided with the decoration store and the inn.
The weather conditions at the time of the accident were unfavorable, with cloudy skies and rain, which may have contributed to the accident. Investigations to determine the exact causes of the accident are ongoing, involving the Civil Police and the Air Force.
Impact on structures and closures
Colonel Correa informed that the affected inn will be closed after the search work is completed. Additionally, a nearby residence will also be closed due to significant structural damage. The municipality’s Civil Defense is providing support in assessing the damage and taking the necessary security measures.
Authorities continue to work on site to ensure the safety of the area and collect all the information necessary to investigate this tragic accident that shook the community of Gramado and Canela.
