A small plane carrying 10 people crashed into shops in the center of the tourist city of Gramado in southern Brazil on Sunday, according to civil defense officials, with initial reports indicating there were no survivors.
“Unfortunately, initial reports indicate that the passengers on the plane did not survive,” said Governor Eduardo Leite in a post on the X platform.
According to the Public Security Office of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, at least 15 people were taken to the city’s hospital, most of whom were suffering from smoke inhalation caused by the crash, CNN reported.
It is reported that the plane initially struck the chimney of a building, then the second floor of a house, before crashing into a furniture store, authorities said.
Located in a mountainous region, Gramado is the most popular tourist destination in Rio Grande do Sul, which was severely impacted earlier this year by unprecedented flooding that claimed dozens of lives, destroyed infrastructure, and significantly damaged the state’s economy.
The accident occurred just days before Christmas, a particularly busy time for the city, which is traditionally decorated with festive ornaments and organizes holiday events.
