Tragic Plane Crash in Brazil: All 61 Aboard Killed in São Paulo
A devastating plane crash in Brazil has claimed the lives of all 61 people on board. The twin-engine turboprop aircraft was en route from Cascavel, Paraná, to Guarulhos Airport in São Paulo when it tragically crashed in the town of Vinhedo, São Paulo state. The incident has shocked the nation, marking one of the deadliest aviation accidents in recent Brazilian history.
Details of the Plane Crash in Brazil
The aircraft involved in the Brazil plane crash was an ATR 72-500 operated by Voepass airline. It was carrying 57 passengers and four crew members. Tragically, local authorities have confirmed that there were no survivors.
Disturbing footage shared on social media shows the plane descending vertically, spiraling uncontrollably before impact. The plane crashed into a residential area, but miraculously, no one on the ground was injured. Officials reported that only one home in a condominium complex sustained damage, though the crash site was marked by a large fire and smoking wreckage.
Official Responses and Investigation
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his deep sorrow over the plane crash in Brazil, offering solidarity to the families and friends of the victims. São Paulo’s state Governor, Tarcísio Gomes de Freitas, has declared three days of mourning in response to the tragedy.
The plane’s flight recorders have been recovered, and ATR, the French-Italian manufacturer of the aircraft, has pledged full cooperation with the investigation into the crash. The aircraft, built in 2010, was reportedly in good operating condition, with valid registration and airworthiness certificates, according to Brazil’s civil aviation agency. All four crew members were properly licensed and qualified at the time of the accident.
Eyewitness Accounts of the Brazil Plane Crash
The moment of the plane crash in Brazil was witnessed by local residents, leaving many in shock. Felipe Magalhaes, a nearby resident, described the terrifying scene to Reuters: “When I heard the sound of the plane falling, I looked out my window at home and saw the moment it crashed. It was terrifying.” Another resident, Nathalie Cicari, told CNN Brasil that she initially mistook the noise for a drone, only to realize it was the sound of the plane spiraling out of control.
Comparisons to Previous Brazilian Plane Crashes
This incident is Brazil’s worst plane crash since 2007 when a TAM Express plane crashed at São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport, resulting in 199 fatalities. President Lula paid tribute to the victims of the current crash at a public event, urging everyone to observe a minute of silence.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Investigation
In response to the Brazil plane crash, the nearby town of Valinhos dispatched 20 emergency personnel to assist at the crash site. “Twenty men were mobilized, including three vehicles from the Valinhos Municipal Civil Guard and one vehicle from the Civil Defense,” Valinhos City Hall said in a statement.
ATR, the aircraft’s manufacturer, expressed its condolences in a statement, saying, “Our first thoughts are with all the individuals affected by this event. ATR specialists are fully engaged to support both the investigation and the customer.”
The tragic plane crash in Brazil has left a profound impact on the nation, with the investigation into the causes of the accident ongoing.
image credit : BBC