Brazilian Plane Crash Kills 61, Leaving Many Devastated
A devastating plane crash in Brazil has claimed the lives of all 61 people on board, leaving families and communities in shock and mourning. The ATR 72-500 aircraft, operated by Voepass airline, was traveling from Cascavel in southern Parana state to Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos international airport when it crashed in the city of Vinhedo.
The tragic accident occurred on Friday, with images showing the plane spinning almost vertically as it plummeted to the ground, engulfed in a large column of smoke. Witnesses described the impact as "terrifying," with one resident, Nathalie Cicari, recalling hearing a loud noise and seeing the plane spinning before realizing it was not a normal movement.
The city government in Valinhos, which was involved in the rescue and recovery operation, confirmed that there were no survivors. Recovery of the victims’ remains has begun and will continue throughout the night, according to Sao Paulo State Governor Tarcisio de Freitas.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has declared three days of mourning, and Voepass has announced it is cooperating with authorities to determine the causes of the accident. The airline is also providing full assistance to the families of the victims on flight 2283.
The doomed plane took off without any flight restrictions, with all its systems operational, according to the company. Brazil’s CENIPA aviation accident agency has launched an investigation, and ATR, the Franco-Italian aircraft maker and Airbus subsidiary, is working with investigators to help determine the cause of the crash.
The incident is a stark reminder of the importance of air safety, despite improvements in recent decades. Brazil has recorded 108 aircraft accidents so far this year, resulting in 49 deaths, and over the last ten years, 746 people have died in 1,665 accidents in the country. In January 2023, another ATR 72 operated by Yeti Airlines crashed after stalling in Nepal, killing all 72 on board. Nepalese authorities attributed the incident to pilot error.
As the country mourns the loss of life, communities are coming together to support those affected by the tragedy. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the crash.
