A hot air balloon carrying 21 people caught fire and crashed in Praia Grande, Brazil, on June 21, 2025, killing eight passengers. The tragedy happened at 7 a.m. in Santa Catarina’s popular tourist region, known as the “Brazilian Cappadocia.” The pilot, who survived, said a reserve torch in the balloon’s basket sparked the fire. As flames spread, he tried to lower the balloon, telling passengers to jump when it neared the ground. Four died from burns in the basket, and four from the fall, accordi

Hundreds of hot-air balloons take to the skies every fall for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest event of its kind in the world. | National Geographic