Fact Check: Thirteen survivors hospitalized after balloon fire plummets from the sky.

Fact Check: "Thirteen survivors hospitalized after balloon fire plummets from the sky."

What We Know

On June 21, 2025, a tragic incident involving a hot-air balloon occurred in Praia Grande, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The balloon caught fire and fell from the sky, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals. According to reports from the Santa Catarina military fire brigade, thirteen survivors were hospitalized following the incident, which involved a total of 21 people on board, including the pilot (NPR, Reuters, AP News). Eyewitness accounts and video footage confirmed the balloon was engulfed in flames before it descended rapidly, with some passengers attempting to jump to safety as the fire spread (BBC, New York Times).

Analysis

The claim that "thirteen survivors were hospitalized" is corroborated by multiple reliable sources, including the Associated Press and NPR, which both reported that thirteen individuals survived the crash and were transported to hospitals (AP News, NPR). The reports also detail the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the pilot's attempts to manage the emergency and the subsequent fall of the balloon.

The credibility of these sources is high, as they are well-established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. The Associated Press, in particular, has a long history of accurate reporting on breaking news events. Additionally, local authorities, including the fire brigade and police, provided information that aligns with the reports from these media outlets, adding to the reliability of the claims.

While there may be some variations in the details reported (such as the exact number of people on board), the core fact that thirteen survivors were hospitalized remains consistent across all major news sources.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that thirteen survivors were hospitalized after a hot-air balloon fire in Brazil is accurate. Multiple credible news sources confirm that thirteen individuals were indeed taken to hospitals following the tragic incident, which resulted in eight fatalities. The consistency of the reports from various reputable outlets supports the truth of this claim.