A tragic plane crash in Brazil’s Sao Paulo state has claimed the lives of all 62 people aboard, turning a quiet residential neighborhood into a scene of devastation. The crash occurred on Friday as a VoePass aircraft, a turboprop ATR-72, was en route to Sao Paulo’s international airport in Guarulhos.
The plane, carrying 58 passengers and 4 crew members, plummeted into the residential area of Vinhedo, a city known for its picturesque landscapes and suburban tranquility. Eyewitness reports and footage aired by the Brazilian television network GloboNews depicted the harrowing final moments of the aircraft as it spiraled downward, before erupting into a fiery wreckage.
Emergency services, including firefighters, military police, and civil defense teams, were swiftly deployed to the crash site. Scenes of flames engulfing a wide area and thick black smoke billowing from the remains of the plane were broadcast nationwide, as rescuers battled to contain the fire and search for survivors. Despite their efforts, initial reports from the site have not indicated any survivors.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, attending an event in southern Brazil at the time of the crash, broke the somber news to attendees, requesting a moment of silence in honor of the victims. He conveyed his deep condolences to the families affected and, citing early information, stated that it appeared all those on board had perished.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with no details yet provided by VoePass or Brazilian authorities. The airline’s statement confirmed the accident but offered no insight into what may have led to the tragic incident.
This disaster comes less than a year after another plane crash in Brazil’s Amazon region, which resulted in the loss of 12 lives, including that of a baby. The back-to-back tragedies have renewed concerns about aviation safety in the country, prompting calls for rigorous reviews and investigations.
As the nation mourns, the focus will now turn to uncovering the reasons behind this latest catastrophe, with hopes that such a tragedy can be prevented in the future.
Credit: CBS News
