A small plane crashed in the southern Brazilian city of Gramado on Sunday morning, killing 10 people, authorities said.
In a statement released by the government of Rio Grande do Sul state, where Gramado is located, Gov. Eduardo Leite told a news conference that 17 more people were injured and taken to area hospitals.
Two of the injured are in serious condition and will be transported to Porto Alegre, the statement said. The Rio Grande do Sul state government said in an earlier statement that most of the injured were taken to hospitals due to smoke inhalation from the accidental fire.
All 10 people who have died so far were from the same family.
It was not immediately clear whether other passengers were on the plane.
According to a statement from the governor’s office, the crash occurred between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., shortly after takeoff from Canela Airport. The plane hit the structure of a building under construction and landed on a furniture store. Hotels near the highway were also directly hit.
“We deeply regret the accident and stress the immediate action of the security forces in responding and rescuing the victims and taking control of the accident scene. We have now formally identified the victims and investigated the circumstances of the accident. There is a need to do so.” According to the statement.
He said security forces would “closely monitor developments in this incident” as civil police and the Air Accident Investigation and Prevention Center investigated the cause and circumstances. The National Institute of Forensic Science is working to identify the victim.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of the X incident.
“The Air Force is investigating the cause of the accident, and the federal government will work with state and local governments to resolve the situation as quickly as possible,” he said.
