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The Civil Police confirmed, on Saturday afternoon (21), the death of eight people in the fall of a hot air balloon in Praia Grande, southern Santa Catarina. The tourist aircraft caught fire in the air and fell with 21 people on board. Another 13 victims were rescued alive.
Victims of the tragedy in SC: Leane, Leise and Andrei/Photo: Reproduction
The dead were identified as:
Andrei Gabriel de Melo, 34, ophthalmologist from Fraiburgo (SC)
Everaldo da Rocha
Fabio Luiz Izycki, 42, born in Barão de Cotegipe (RS), worked as a bank clerk, with a passage through Banco do Brasil
Janaina Moreira Soares da Rocha, born in Joinville (SC)
Juliane Jacinta Sawicki, to Rio Grande do Sul
Leandro Luzzi, chained (RS)
Leane Elizabeth Herrmann, from Concordia (SC)
Leise Herrmann Parizotto, doctor, daughter of Leane, lived in Blumenau (SC)
The tragedy also shook the Herrmann family: mother and daughter died in the accident, Leane Elizabeth and Leise. A second daughter of Leane, Leciane Herrmann Parizotto, is among the survivors.
The death of ophthalmologist Andrei Gabriel de Melo generated a commotion in Fraiburg, in the west of Santa Catarina. He received tribute from the mayor, Wilson Ribeiro:
“Andrei may have departed physically, but the love he planted is eternal. May this love be the strength that sustains them in difficult days,” he said.
According to the Fire Department, the fire began on the flight and caused the aircraft to fall. The pilot, Elvis de Bem Crescencio, survived and reported that the flames originated from the Reserve Bandery, which was installed in the balloon basket.
Witnesses reported that some people threw themselves from the aircraft to try to escape the fire. Videos that circulate on social networks show the balloon on fire and losing altitude quickly.
According to the Nossa Senhora de Fátima Hospital, five people were admitted to the emergency room. Two survivors had second -degree burns, and the others had light abrasions and complaints of pain. Rescue teams continue mobilized in the region.
The company responsible for the tour, Shooting, specializes in balloon tourist flights on Praia Grande Canyons. According to the company’s website, the tour costs R $ 550 per person, with breakfast, flight of about 45 minutes and a “health insurance” that foresees compensation in case of accidental death.
In a statement, the company said it follows “all rules established by the National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac)” and have no records of previous accidents. “Unfortunately, even with all the necessary precautions and with the effort of our pilot, whose even has a wide experience and adopted all the procedures indicated, trying to save all those aboard the balloon, we suffer from the pain caused by this tragedy,” says excerpt.
The governor of Santa Catarina, Jorginho Mello (PL), lamented what happened on social networks:
“We are all dismayed by the accident involving a balloon in Praia Grande, this Saturday morning.”
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) also sympathized and made the structure of the federal government available to assist in the work.
Identified survivors:
Claudia Abreu
Elvis de Bem Crescencio (pilot)
Fernando da Silva Veronezi
Laís Campos Paes
Leciane Herrmann Parizotto
Leonardo Soares Rocha
Luana da Rocha
Marcel Cunha Batista
Rodrigo de Abreu
Sabrina Patrício de Souza
Tassiane Francine Alvarenga
Thayse Elaine Broedbeck Batista
Victor Hugo Mondini Correa
Former mayor almost embarked
The former mayor of Florianópolis, Gean Loureiro (União Brasil), revealed on social networks that almost participated in the tour, but did not get a place. “God once again interceded for our lives,” he wrote, referring to himself and his wife. He also provided solidarity with the victims and their families.
According to an accident in a week
This is the second serious balloon accident in Brazil in less than a week. Last Sunday (15), one woman died and 11 others were injured after a balloon fall in Boituva (SP). The fatal victim was Juliana Alves Prado Pereira, 39.
