No Survivors After Plane Carrying 62 People Crashes in Brazil: VIDEO

In a tragic incident on Friday, a Voepass passenger plane carrying 62 people crashed near São Paulo, Brazil, leaving no survivors. The aircraft, an ATR-72 model, was en route from Cascavel in Paraná state to Guarulhos Airport in São Paulo when it went down in the municipality of Vinhedo, approximately 50 miles northwest of São Paulo city.

The crash occurred in the early afternoon, with local officials confirming that all 58 passengers and four crew members on board perished. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences and solidarity with the families and friends of the victims, stating on social media, "Very sad news. My solidarity to the families and friends of the victims."

According to initial reports, the plane lost contact with air traffic control shortly before 1:30 PM local time. The Brazilian Civil Defense reported that the aircraft collided with several homes in a residential area, causing a significant fire. Dramatic footage shared on social media depicted the plane descending rapidly before vanishing behind a cluster of trees, followed by a large plume of black smoke rising into the sky.

Emergency responders, including firefighters, military police, and civil defense personnel, were immediately dispatched to the crash site. The São Paulo state fire department confirmed via social media that seven teams were sent to handle the situation. GloboNews, a Brazilian television network, broadcasted images showing a large area engulfed in flames, with smoke billowing from what appeared to be the plane's fuselage.

President Lula da Silva, speaking at an event in southern Brazil, called for a minute of silence to honor the victims. He remarked, "A plane has just crashed in the town of Vinhedo, in São Paulo, with 58 passengers and four crew members, and it seems that everyone has died." The President did not provide further details on how he obtained this information but emphasized the gravity of the situation.

The governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, also expressed his condolences, stating that firefighters were already at the scene. "My solidarity to all victims and those affected by this tragedy," he posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Voepass, the airline involved, released a statement confirming the crash but noted that they still lacked detailed information regarding the cause of the accident. "There is still no confirmation of how the accident occurred or the condition of the people on board," the airline said. The aircraft involved was an ATR72-500 model, manufactured in 2010.

Eyewitness accounts added a personal dimension to the tragedy. A woman living in São Paulo recounted the harrowing moment when the plane struck her neighbor's home. "I was having lunch in my kitchen when I saw the plane descending," she told CNN correspondent Julia Vargas Jones. "Overcome with fear, I crouched down and began to pray." She described the scene as filled with smoke and flames rising from beneath her building. Access to the private roads leading to the residences has been restricted, and emergency responders are present in the vicinity.

This incident adds to the list of aviation accidents in Brazil, a country that has witnessed several tragic air disasters over the years. The most notable recent incident was the crash of TAM Airlines Flight 3054 in 2007, which resulted in 199 fatalities.

As investigations continue, authorities are focusing on determining the cause of this latest crash. A team of investigators and forensic experts has been dispatched to the scene to assist with victim identification and to gather evidence.

In the wake of this tragedy, the nation mourns the loss of 62 lives, and the aviation community will undoubtedly scrutinize the findings to prevent future occurrences. The Brazilian government and Voepass have pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation to uncover the reasons behind this devastating accident.