Hot air balloon crash in Brazil kills at least 8 people

The balloon was carrying 21 people and caught fire during its tourism flight in the early morning hours in the southern state of Santa Catarina, the local fire department said, according to Reuters. It crashed in the city of Praia Grande, Reuters reported. Thirteen survivors were taken to hospitals.

Santa Catarina Gov. Jorginho Mello said he was monitoring the situation and providing support for the victims and families, calling it a “tragedy” in a video posted to social media.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed condolences to the families of victims in a social media post.