A small private plane carrying 10 people crashed in the tourist city of Gramado, located in southern Brazil, on Sunday. The incident resulted in at least 17 injuries as the aircraft clipped buildings while descending, according to officials.
The state authorities from Rio Grande do Sul confirmed that the crash occurred shortly after the plane took off from a nearby airport at 9:15 a.m. The state’s governor, Eduardo Leite, expressed his condolences to the victims' families during a news conference.
Reports indicate that as the plane descended, it struck a building's chimney and the second floor of a house before crashing into a furniture store. Debris from the crash affected a nearby bed-and-breakfast. Most of the injured individuals on the ground suffered from smoke inhalation, with two women being treated for serious burns.
The flight was owned and piloted by Brazilian businessman Luiz Claudio Salgueiro Galeazzi, who had relatives aboard the aircraft. Governor Leite noted that flight conditions were poor due to rain and fog, but it remains uncertain if these factors contributed to the crash.
The Brazilian aviation accident investigation center, known as Cenipa, announced that it is examining the crash site and has initiated an inquiry to determine the cause of the accident.
Images broadcasted by local media depicted flames and debris moments after the aircraft collided with the buildings. Gramado is a well-known tourist destination, particularly during the holiday season due to its traditional Christmas decorations.
This incident follows severe flooding earlier in the year that led to significant loss of life and flooding across Rio Grande do Sul. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva conveyed his condolences to the victims and confirmed that an investigation is being conducted by the air force. He stated that the federal government is available to support state and local authorities in clarifying the circumstances surrounding the crash.