A devastating plane crash occurred in Brazil’s São Paulo state on Friday, claiming the lives of all 62 people on board. The ATR-72 plane, operated by Voepass Linhas Aéreas, was en route from Cascavel to Guarulhos when it crashed in the city of Vinhedo.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences, saying, “It appears that all passengers and crew aboard have died.” He called for a minute of silence, honoring the victims of the tragic crash.
Eyewitness Ana Lúcia de Lima described the moment of impact, saying, “The noise was so loud it sounded like it was falling into my house… The first blast was strong, there was already dark smoke coming out, and then there were several more explosions.”
The plane’s GPS signal was lost after it plummeted 4,000 feet in two minutes, according to Flight Radar. Video footage showed the plane spiraling out of control before crashing into a residential area, causing a massive fire and destruction.
The Brazilian Air Force has sent a team of investigators to the site to determine the cause of the crash. The tragedy has sent shockwaves across the country, with many mourning the loss of life.
As the investigation unfolds, the nation comes together to support the families of the victims. In the words of President Lula, “We will do everything to support the families of the victims in this difficult moment.”