Image Source: hindustantimes.com
A tragic plane crash in Vinhedo, São Paulo, has resulted in the deaths of all 62 passengers aboard. The ATR-72 aircraft, operated by Voepass Linhas Aéreas, was en route from Cascavel, Paraná, to Guarulhos, São Paulo, when it crashed on Friday.
Local firefighters confirmed that the plane fell in Vinhedo, a town approximately 80 km (50 miles) northwest of São Paulo. The crash site, captured in widely circulated video footage, shows the plane descending into a densely forested area before erupting into a massive plume of black smoke.
Officials from Valinhos, near Vinhedo, have reported that there were no survivors. While only one house in a nearby condominium complex sustained damage, no residents were injured. Footage aired on GloboNews depicted the plane spiraling downward before the crash.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva addressed the tragedy at a public event, stating, “I have to be the bearer of really bad news.” He confirmed that the crash involved 58 passengers and four crew members, all of whom are believed to have died, and called for a moment of silence in their honor.
The airline, which is privately held and not publicly listed, has not yet provided details regarding the cause of the crash. The plane, registered as PS-VPB, was identified by FlightRadar24 as an ATR 72-500 turboprop, manufactured by ATR, a joint venture between Airbus and Leonardo.
In response to the crash, São Paulo’s state fire brigade deployed seven teams to the site. The fire department reported on X (formerly Twitter), “Aircraft crash, 7 teams involved, so far only this information.” The crash site was described as being engulfed in flames, with smoke billowing from the remnants of the aircraft’s fuselage.
