Plane crash in residential area kills family of 10
A family of ten were killed after the plane they were travelling in crashed into a tourist town in Brazil.
At least 17 other people were injured on the ground after the aircraft crashed into buildings in the centre of Gramado, southern Brazil, just minutes after takeoff, according to Brazil’s civil defence agency.
The agency said in a post on X that a small jet slammed into a chimney, a home and a furniture store in a largely residential area.
Debris from the resulting explosion then struck a guesthouse.
The aircraft’s owner and pilot, Luiz Claudio Galeazzi, died along with the nine other passengers on board, all of whom were family members, according to AP citing local media reports.
A dozen of the 17 injured were rushed to hospital, many having suffered dangerous smoke inhalation from the fire caused by the crash.
Two people are believed to be in critical condition.
(Picture: AP)
Mr Galeazzi’s company, Galeazzi & Associados, confirmed on LinkedIn that the 61-year-old businessman was on the plane with his wife, three daughters, other family members and a company employee who died.
The firm said in a statement: ‘In this moment of intense pain we are deeply thankful with the manifestations of solidarity and love that we have received from friends, colleagues and the community.
‘We also express our solidarity with those who have been affected by this accident in the region.’
The cause of the crash was not immediately clear and authorities are still investigating it.
The crash happened when the twin-engine Piper PA-42-1000 faced unfavourable weather conditions after departing from the nearby Canela airport.
Footage from the crash site shows a devastating scene, with fires burning, debris strewn across the area and heaving smoke overhanging the town.
Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, said in a statement on X: ‘My condolences to the families of the victims of the plane crash in downtown Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul. I hope the injured recover quickly.
‘The Air Force is investigating the causes of the accident, and the federal government is at the disposal of the state government and local authorities to clarify the situation as soon as possible.’
Gramado is a town popular with Brazilian tourists seeking cooler weather and hiking spots in the Serra Gaucha mountains.
62 people died in a plane crash outside São Paulo, Brazil, last August after a failure in the plane’s de-icing system moments earlier.
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