Fact Check: 21 people on board during the deadly hot air balloon flight.

Fact Check: "21 people on board during the deadly hot air balloon flight."

What We Know

On June 21, 2025, a tragic hot air balloon accident occurred in Praia Grande, Santa Catarina, Brazil, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals. Reports confirm that there were 21 people on board, including the pilot, at the time of the incident. According to the Santa Catarina military fire brigade, thirteen survivors were taken to hospitals following the crash, which was attributed to a fire that started in the balloon's basket, prompting the pilot to attempt an emergency landing (AP News, BBC).

Analysis

The claim that 21 people were on board the hot air balloon is supported by multiple reputable sources. The Associated Press and BBC both explicitly state that there were 21 individuals on the flight, corroborating the details provided by local authorities (AP News, BBC). Additionally, the New York Times and Reuters also confirm this number, emphasizing that the balloon was carrying a full complement of passengers, including the pilot (New York Times, Reuters).

The reliability of the sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The Associated Press and Reuters are particularly known for their rigorous fact-checking processes. Furthermore, the information aligns with statements made by local officials, including the governor of Santa Catarina, Jorginho Mello, who also confirmed the number of people on board in his public statements (BBC).

Conclusion

The claim that 21 people were on board during the deadly hot air balloon flight is True. This is substantiated by multiple credible news reports and official statements from local authorities, all of which consistently report the same figure.