A small private plane carrying 10 people crashed in the tourist city of Gramado, southern Brazil, on Sunday, striking buildings as it fell and leaving at least 17 others injured.
The crash occurred in the mountain resort town of Gramado, in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, just minutes after the plane took off from a nearby airport.
Authorities confirmed the plane was piloted by Brazilian businessman Luiz Claudio Salgueiro Galeazzi, and the passengers were believed to be his relatives.
The aircraft clipped a building’s chimney and the second floor of a house before crashing into a furniture store, sending debris into a nearby bed-and-breakfast.
At least 17 people on the ground were injured, most due to smoke inhalation, with two women in serious condition from burns.
Governor Eduardo Leite expressed condolences for the families of the victims, stating his solidarity with those affected by the tragedy.
The crash took place at 9:15 a.m. in poor flight conditions, with rain and fog reported in the area, though it is unclear if weather contributed to the incident.
Brazil’s aviation accident investigation center, Cenipa, has opened an inquiry into the cause of the crash.
The town of Gramado, known for its holiday tourism and Christmas decorations, was busy with visitors at the time of the crash.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva offered his condolences and pledged an investigation into the incident, with the air force working to determine the cause.
