At least eight dead after hot air balloon catches fire and plummets from sky

Twenty-one people were on board

The incident happened in the city of Praia Grande on Saturday morning (21 June) with 21 people on board the hot air balloon.

The Governor of Santa Catarina, Jorginho Mello, shared the news in a post on X.

He had said that initial reports said 22 people were on board, but later corrected this in an updated post to 21.

He said: "We are all shocked by the accident involving a balloon in Praia Grande, this Saturday morning.

So far, we have confirmed 8 deaths and 2 survivors rescued alive. The teams continue to search for the others."

In an updated post he said: "21 people on board - 8 fatalities, 13 survivors.

"Our teams continue to provide all necessary support to families and victims.

"We continue to monitor the situation."

Emergency services are at the scene in Praia Grande.

Harrowing footage posted to social media showed the basket underneath the balloon plummet from underneath the canopy.

At least one person jumped from the basket before it collapsed.