At least 8 people dead after hot air balloon crashes with 21 on board

A hot air balloon has crashed in Brazil, reportedly claiming the lives of eight passengers.

The governor of Santa Catarina state, Jorginho Mello, confirmed the sad news on social media today (June 21).

"Preliminary information indicates that there were 22 people on board," he penned on Twitter. "So far, we have confirmed eight deaths and two survivors were rescued alive."

Rescue workers are said to be at the scene in Praia Grande, the country's second most populous city on the coast of São Paulo, where they are looking for the other passengers.

The number of survivors has since been updated to 13.

Mello penned in a follow-up tweet shared shortly after his initial post: "Accident update: 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," he added.

The survivors are said to have been rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention, Reuters reports.

Officials have weighed in on the matter as well. They said in a statement: "The Santa Catarina Military Fire Department (CBMSC) is currently responding to a balloon crash in the municipality of Praia Grande, in the south of the state, which occurred on the morning of Saturday, June 21.

"The corporation confirms 4 deaths at the scene and the other victims are being treated, searched for and evaluated by our teams."

Heartbreaking footage online allegedly shows the balloon airborne and up in flames. It completely deflates and the basket carrying the passengers, which is also alight, comes crashing down to the ground.

The tragic incident comes just days after there was another hot air balloon incident in Turkey last week, leaving one dead and 19 others injured.

Mehmet Ali Kumbuzoglu, the provincial governor, confirmed that it was the pilot who died after he got 'stuck under the basket'.

Elsewhere, Nermin Yildirim Kara, an MP from the province of Hatay, wrote on Twitter, per LBC: "We wish God’s blessings upon our peer who lost his life in the air balloon accident in the Ihlara Valley of Aksaray province, and a speedy recovery to those who have been injured."

The balloon is said to have come into difficulty because of a sudden change in wind conditions.

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