A devastating plane crash occurred in Vinhedo, Sao Paulo state, Brazil, on Friday, resulting in the loss of all 61 lives on board. The Voepass airline's ATR 72-500 aircraft, carrying 57 passengers and four crew members, crashed while en route from Cascavel to Sao Paulo's Guarulhos International Airport.
According to the city government of Valinhos, "There were no survivors." Recovery efforts for the victims' remains have commenced and will continue throughout the night, as stated by Sao Paulo State Governor Tarcisio de Freitas. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has declared three days of mourning.
Voepass is cooperating with authorities to determine the causes of the accident and is providing full assistance to the families of the victims. The plane took off without any flight restrictions, with all systems operational, according to the company. Brazil's CENIPA aviation accident agency has launched an investigation, with ATR experts working to assist.
Eyewitnesses described the crash as "terrifying" and "like a drone but much louder." The impact was immense, with one witness seeing many bodies on the ground. Firefighters and military police were deployed to the scene, and the fire sparked by the crash has been brought under control. The plane's black box has been found, apparently preserved.