Small plane crash in Brazil kills at least 10 in tourist city

On December 22, 2024, a tragic aviation accident occurred in Gramado, a popular tourist destination located in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. A small plane took off from a nearby regional airport in Canela, bound for Jundiaí in São Paulo state. Shortly after its departure at 9:15 a.m., the aircraft allegedly encountered difficulties and crashed into several buildings. The impact resulted in severe damage, as the plane struck a chimney, then a house, before finally crashing into a furniture store, sending debris flying into a nearby bed-and-breakfast. Local officials reported that there were 10 people on board the plane and none of them survived the crash. The governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite, conveyed the unfortunate news through a social media platform, indicating that initial reports confirmed that the occupants did not survive the incident. In addition to the fatalities, the crash left at least 14 others injured on the ground, with two individuals in serious condition due to severe burns and others experiencing smoke inhalation as a result of the ensuing fire. The accident occurred just days before Christmas, a time when Gramado attracts many tourists drawn by its festive decorations and holiday events. This year, the town had particularly suffered from previous natural disasters, including unprecedented floods earlier in the year that had devastated the local economy and disrupted lives. In the aftermath of this tragedy, Brazil's aviation accident investigation center, Cenipa, commenced an inquiry to determine the underlying causes of the crash and assess the site of the wreckage. Authorities and civil defense officials are working diligently to analyze the crash, ensuring that any lessons learned from this incident can help improve safety in the future and prevent similar occurrences in Brazil's busy air traffic regions.