A devastating plane crash in Brazil has claimed the lives of 62 people, leaving a trail of destruction and grief in its wake. On Friday, an ATR 72-500 plane operated by Voepass crashed into a residential area in Vinhedo, a town located 50 miles northwest of Sao Paulo.
Brazilian authorities have confirmed that all 62 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage and taken to a morgue in Sao Paulo for identification and delivery to their families. Two victims have already been identified through fingerprints, including the pilot and co-pilot.
Experts from Brazil’s Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) have begun analyzing the plane’s black boxes, which contain cabin conversations and in-flight data. The investigation is ongoing, with a preliminary report expected to be released within 30 days.
The cause of the crash is still unknown, but experts suggest that icing of the plane’s wings may have been a factor. The plane’s crew did not declare an emergency, and there were no adverse weather conditions at the time of the crash.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has declared three days of national mourning for the victims, who were all traveling on Brazilian identity documents. The crash is one of the worst aviation accidents in Brazil’s history, and the country is in shock.
The victims include a woman with dual citizenship in Brazil and Portugal, as well as a family of three Venezuelans. All victims were traveling on Brazilian identity documents.
The plane crashed into a residential area, but miraculously, there were no casualties on the ground. The impact and subsequent explosion destroyed several homes and caused significant damage to the surrounding area.
