At least 10 people died, and dozens more were injured after a plane crashed in the southern Brazilian city of Gramado on Sunday.
Local authorities confirmed that the private plane, carrying businessman Luiz Claudio Galeazzi and his family, smashed into a chimney shortly after takeoff and then exploded near a furniture store after slamming into several buildings.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene of the devastation, where a trail of debris could be seen scattered close to busy roads and residential areas.
Footage captured at the scene depicted vast flames among the rubble of the buildings.
State governor Eduardo Leite later confirmed that none of the aircraft’s passengers survived, and the 10 victims were all members of Mr Galeazzi’s family.
It is understood that the businessman was actually piloting the plane, flying his family to Jundiaí in the state of São Paulo at the time of the crash.
In a statement from Mr Galeazzi’s business, Galeazzi & Associados, representatives added that the 61-year-old had been travelling with his wife, three daughters and other family members onboard.
According to Brazil’s Civil Defense Agency, a further 17 people were injured on the ground, and two remain in critical condition.
Authorities are currently investigating what caused the twin-engine Piper PA-42-1000 aircraft crash, with the state governor adding that they were flying in unfavourable weather.
An eyewitness also told Reuters the plane “was revving up. You could see that it was accelerating a lot."
Gramado is a small mountainous town that attracts millions of Brazilian and overseas visitors each year due to its ‘European’ feel and Alpine chalets.
It’s the most famous destination in Rio Grande do Sul, and particularly welcomes an increase in visitors around the Christmas period.
Following Sunday’s crash, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva offered his condolences to the families of those who died in a message on social media.
“My condolences to the families of the victims of the plane crash in the center of Gramado, in Rio Grande do Sul. I hope that the injured have a speedy recovery,” he wrote.
Lula added: “The Air Force is investigating the causes of the accident and the federal government is at the disposal of the state government and local authorities to clarify the situation as soon as possible.”
