What caused the hot air balloon fire in Brazil? Experts agree on a possible cause.
A hot air balloon caught fire and crashed on the morning of Saturday, June 21, in Praia Grande, Santa Catarina, Brazil, while carrying 21 people. The accident left eight dead and 13 survivors who were later treated.
Although the official cause has not yet been determined, authorities and specialists consulted by the Brazilian channel GloboNews agreed on several theories about the possible origin of the plane crash.
What was the cause of the accident?According to Ulisses Gabriel, police chief of Santa Catarina, strong winds forced the balloon to be secured with a truck during takeoff, the sudden movement of which would have caused a gas leak. Although an emergency descent was attempted, only 13 people, including the pilot, managed to get out before the balloon took off again.
Gerardo Portela, a risk management specialist, indicated that the fire was fueled by an active propane leak, which prevented the flight from continuing and worsened the flames. The accident left eight people dead and 13 survivors.
What happened this Saturday, June 21?Videos captured by witnesses showed the balloon burning in the air before collapsing. Rescue teams arrived with ambulances to respond to the emergency. A video posted on social media showed that The balloon experienced problems before takeoff , requiring assistance from technical staff after several failed attempts to take off.
Internet users pointed to possible operational negligence, suggesting a possible overweight. According to witness accounts, the pilot, considered experienced, attempted a descent when the flames started, and asked passengers to jump out when they saw the fire was imminent.
The governor of Santa Catarina, Jorginho Mello, reported that support for the victims and their families continues. He also assured that state authorities followed up on the tragedy, after coordinating with the local mayor and health and emergency services.
publimetro
