The Santa Catarina Scientific Police confirmed on Sunday (22) the identity of the eight people who died after the fall of a hot air balloon in Praia Grande, in the south of the state. THE accident happened on Saturday morning (21) and, according to the Fire Department, left 17 injuredfour of them with burns, in addition to the victims who jumped from the aircraft amid the flames.
According to the preliminary investigation of the Civil Police, the fire began when the balloon was still close to the ground. At this point, 13 occupants managed to land. Shortly thereafter, the balloon climbed back quickly, making it impossible to leave the other passengers. Witnesses recorded videos of the moment when part of the occupants threw themselves from the basket in an attempt to escape the fire.
The aircraft pilot, Elvis de Bem Crescencio, is among those who managed to save themselves. Claudia Abreu, 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 and Victor Hugo Correa, also
Among the survivors are two children of the couple Everaldo da Rocha and Janaína Moreira Soares da Rocha, who could not resist the fall. Leciane Herrmann Parizotto, sister and daughter of two fatalities – Leise Herrmann Parizotto and Leane Elizabeth Herrmann – also managed to save.
The former mayor of Florianópolis, Gean Loureiro (União Brasil), said on social networks that he almost participated in the tour, but did not find vacancy available. “God once again interceded for our lives,” he wrote, referring to himself and his wife.
The causes of the accident follow under investigation. One of the hypotheses cleared is the failure to function for a torch used to warm the air of the aircraft. The fall occurred in a rural area, near a health unit of the municipality.
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This was the second serious balloon accident in Brazil in less than a week. On Sunday (15), in Boituva (Sao Paulo), the fall of a balloon caused the death of Juliana Alves Prado Pereira, 39, and left 11 other people injured.
See who were the victims who could not resist the accident:
- Andrei Gabriel de Melo, 34 years old
Graduated in Medicine from the University of Western Santa Catarina (Unoesc), Andrei Gabriel de Melo attended patients in various cities in the midst of the state, such as Campos Novas, Thirteen Tilias, Vine, Hunter and Fraiburg, where his mother works in the public service. Passionate about the profession, she defined ophthalmology as “an art.” In the free moments, I liked to play guitar. The doctor’s death generated commotion in Fraiburgo. The city hall published a note expressing weighing and solidarity with the family, especially to the municipal servant Andréa Melo, his relative. - Everaldo da Rocha, 53, and Janaína Moreira Soares da Rocha, 46
Married, they lived in Joinville (Santa Catarina). They participated in the tour with their two children, who managed to survive. - Fábio Luiz Izycki and Juliane Jacinta Sawicki, 36 years old
The couple lived in Barão de Cotegipe (Rio Grande do Sul). Fábio worked at the local branch of Banco do Brasil and Juliane was an agronomist, partner in a rural consulting firm. Family members used social networks to say goodbye. - Leandro Luzzi, 33 years
Artistic Skating Technician and Technical Director of the Santa Catarina Artistic Skating Federation (FCPA). The entity issued a note regretting the loss and describing Leandro as a professional in love with the sport, dedicated to athletes and respected by the entire sports community. - Leane Elizabeth Herrmann, 70, and Leise Herrmann Parizotto, 43
Mother and daughter, they were natural from Concordia (Santa Catarina). Leise was a doctor. A second daughter of Leane, Leciane Herrmann Parizotto, was also on the walk but managed to survive.
What the authorities say
The governor of Santa Catarina, Jorginho Mello, expressed solidarity with family members and said that the state government is providing assistance to victims and survivors. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also regretted the tragedy and said that the federal government follows the case.
The Brazilian Balloon Confederation (CBB) issued a note stating that it has no legal attribution to oversee tourist flights, but is collaborating with the authorities, offering technical information that can contribute to clarify what happened.
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Investigations follow under the responsibility of the Civil Police and the Santa Catarina Scientific Police, who work in the analysis of traces and the collection of testimonials to clarify what led to the fire and the fall of the balloon.
