Plane crash: Brazil announces three days of mourning

An ATR 72-500 aircraft operated by Voepass airline crashed on Friday in Brazil’s Sao Paulo state, killing all 61 people on board, including 57 passengers and four crew members. The flight was en route from Cascavel in southern Parana state to Guarulhos International Airport in Sao Paulo when the crash occurred in Vinhedo.

Initial reports from Voepass indicated the plane carried 58 passengers, but this number was later corrected to 57. Local media captured dramatic images of the plane spiraling downwards and a large plume of smoke rising from what seemed to be a residential area.

“There were no survivors,” stated the city government of Valinhos, which assisted in the rescue operation. Vinhedo, with a population of around 76,000, is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of Sao Paulo.

Recovery operations for victim identification are ongoing, as Sao Paulo State Governor Tarcisio de Freitas announced. In response to the tragedy, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared three days of mourning.

Voepass is working with authorities to investigate the crash’s cause and is assisting the victims’ families. The aircraft had reportedly taken off with all systems operational and no flight restrictions.

Brazil’s CENIPA aviation accident agency has initiated an investigation, with ATR, the aircraft manufacturer, providing expert support.

Witnesses described the crash as harrowing. Truck driver Martins Barbosa, who lived nearby, initially feared for his family’s safety before discovering they were unharmed. Nathalie Cicari, who lived close to the site, described the impact as “terrifying,” noting a loud, abnormal noise before seeing the plane spin.

Firefighters, military police, and state civil defense personnel responded to the scene. No ground casualties were reported, and the fire caused by the crash has been extinguished. The plane’s black box, which appears to be intact, has been recovered.

The plane had its first flight in April 2010. Despite improved global air safety, such accidents, though rare, continue to occur, particularly in developing countries. In Brazil, there have been 108 aircraft accidents this year alone, resulting in 49 deaths. In January 2023, a similar ATR 72 aircraft crashed in Nepal, killing all 72 onboard, an incident attributed to pilot error.