A devastating incident occurred in Brazil as a hot air balloon crashed, resulting in the loss of eight passengers' lives.

The governor of Santa Catarina state, Jorginho Mello, took to social media on June 21 to confirm the tragic news.

Initial reports suggested there were 22 individuals on board, with eight fatalities and two survivors rescued alive.

Rescue operations are underway in Praia Grande, the second most populous city in Brazil, as authorities search for the remaining passengers.

The number of survivors has been updated to 13, with ongoing efforts to provide support to the victims and their families.

Survivors have been transported to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care, according to Reuters.

Officials from the Santa Catarina Military Fire Department have also released a statement regarding the incident, confirming four deaths at the crash site and ongoing treatment for the other victims.

Heartbreaking footage circulating online depicts the balloon catching fire in the air, deflating, and crashing to the ground with passengers onboard.

This tragic event follows a recent hot air balloon incident in Turkey, where one person died and 19 others were injured.

The pilot was reported to have been fatally trapped under the basket in the Turkish incident.

Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.

If you are in need of support following a loss, you can reach out to GrieveWell for confidential assistance.