In a devastating incident that has sent shockwaves across Brazil, a twin-engine turboprop plane crashed in the state of São Paulo, killing all 61 people on board. The aircraft, an ATR 72-500 operated by Voepass airline, was en route from Cascavel in the southern state of Paraná to Guarulhos Airport in São Paulo city when it went down in the town of Vinhedo.
Details of the Crash
The flight, which carried 57 passengers and four crew members, encountered difficulties and tragically crashed in a residential area in Vinhedo, a town located approximately 75 kilometers from São Paulo city. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane descending vertically, spiraling uncontrollably as it plummeted to the ground. Despite the crash occurring in a densely populated area, miraculously, no one on the ground was injured, though one home in a local condominium complex was severely damaged.
Footage circulating on social media captured the horrifying final moments of the aircraft, showing the plane engulfed in flames as it spiraled downward. The impact caused a significant fire, with large plumes of smoke rising from the wreckage. Emergency services, including police and fire departments, swiftly arrived at the scene, but unfortunately, there were no survivors.
Response from Authorities
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his deep sorrow and solidarity with the families and friends of the victims. In a public statement, President Lula described the news as “very sad” and offered his condolences to those affected. During an event where he was speaking, the President led a minute of silence in memory of the lives lost.
São Paulo’s state Governor, Tarcísio Gomes de Freitas, declared three days of mourning in the state, reflecting the profound impact of the tragedy on the community and the nation. Local authorities have been working tirelessly to manage the aftermath of the crash, with emergency personnel from nearby towns, including Valinhos, joining forces in the rescue and recovery efforts.
Investigation Underway
The Brazilian civil aviation agency reported that the plane, which was built in 2010, had been in good operating condition, with valid registration and airworthiness certificates. The four crew members were all duly licensed and held valid qualifications, further deepening the mystery surrounding the cause of the crash.
The flight had departed Cascavel at 11:56 local time (14:56 GMT), and according to the tracking website Flightradar24, the last signal received from the aircraft was approximately an hour and a half later. The exact cause of the crash remains unknown, but authorities have recovered the flight recorders, which will be crucial in the investigation.
The aircraft manufacturer, ATR, a French-Italian company, issued a statement expressing their condolences and confirming their full cooperation with the investigation. “Our first thoughts are with all the individuals affected by this event,” the statement read. “The ATR specialists are fully engaged to support both the investigation and the customer.”
A Community in Mourning
The town of Vinhedo, along with the broader São Paulo state, is grappling with the profound loss. Local residents who witnessed the crash have shared their harrowing experiences. Felipe Magalhaes, one of the witnesses, recounted the terrifying moment he saw the plane crash. “When I heard the sound of the plane falling, I looked out my window at home and saw the moment it crashed,” he told Reuters. “It was a sight that left me terrified.”
Another resident, Nathalie Cicari, described the chilling noise that preceded the crash. “I was having lunch when I heard a very loud noise very close by,” she told CNN Brasil. “It sounded like a drone, but much louder. I went out on the balcony and saw the plane spinning. Within seconds, I realized that it was not a normal movement for a plane.”
The Worst Air Disaster Since 2007
This tragedy is Brazil’s worst air disaster since 2007, when a TAM Express plane crashed and burst into flames at São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport, killing 199 people. The scale of the loss in this recent crash has rekindled memories of that devastating incident, bringing national attention to the ongoing risks associated with air travel.
As the investigation into the cause of the crash continues, the thoughts of the nation remain with the families and friends of the victims. The tragic loss of life has cast a pall over the country, as communities come together to mourn those who were lost in this heartbreaking disaster.
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