A small plane crashed into a popular Brazilian city tourists on Sunday, killing all ten passengers on board and injuring more than a dozen people on the ground, Brazil said the Civil Defense Authority.
The agency said in a post on More than a dozen people who were on the ground were taken to hospitals with injuries including smoke inhalation, with two reportedly in critical condition.
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It’s not immediately clear what caused the crash.
Local media reported that the plane was piloted by Luiz Claudio Galeazzi, a Brazilian businessman who was traveling to Sao Paulo state with his family. In a statement posted on LinkedIn, Galeazzi’s company Galeazzi & Associados confirmed that the 61-year-old was on the plane, adding that he was traveling with his wife, their three daughters, several other family members and another company employee who arrived at the Crash for life.
“In this moment of intense pain, we are deeply grateful for the manifestations of solidarity and love we have received from friends, colleagues and the community,” the statement said. “We also express our solidarity with those affected by this accident in the region.”
Security cameras captured the small Piper plane departing from Canela airport in Rio Grande do Sul state minutes before it crashed in Gramado, about 10 km from the airport.
Located in the Serra Gaucha mountains, Gramado is popular with Brazilian tourists who enjoy the cool weather, hiking opportunities and traditional architecture. The city was settled by numerous German and Italian immigrants in the 19th century and is a popular spot for the Christmas holidays.
&Copy 2024 The Canadian Press
