Emergency Crews Recover Victims from Fatal Plane Crash in Brazil’s São Paulo State

Fatal Plane Crash in Brazil

Emergency crews in Brazil’s São Paulo state have begun the grim task of recovering victims from the wreckage of a plane crash that claimed the lives of all 62 people aboard. The tragedy occurred on Friday in the town of Vinhedo, approximately 80 kilometers northwest of São Paulo city.

The plane, an ATR 72-500 operated by Voepass airlines, was on a flight from Cascavel in southern Paraná state to São Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport when it entered a dramatic downward spin and crashed into a residential area. Harrowing videos captured the moment the aircraft spiraled toward the ground, ultimately colliding with the neighborhood below.

Authorities initially reported 61 people on board but later confirmed that all 62 passengers and crew, all Brazilian nationals, perished in the crash. Miraculously, no injuries or fatalities were reported among the residents of the affected area, though several houses were damaged.

By Saturday morning, firefighters had recovered 16 bodies from the wreckage, with around 200 personnel involved in the recovery effort. The remains are being transported to the São Paulo morgue. The normally serene neighborhood where the plane went down is now bustling with police, ambulances, and firetrucks as crews work to clear the site.

A steady overnight rain has hampered recovery efforts, and authorities anticipate that it could take several days to complete the operation. Captain Maycon Cristo, a spokesperson for the local fire department, noted that the challenging weather conditions have further complicated the process.

The twin-engine turboprop aircraft, manufactured by the French-Italian firm ATR, had been in operation since 2010 and met all current safety standards, according to Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency. Voepass’s operations director, Marcel Moura, stated that the plane underwent routine maintenance the night before the accident, and no technical issues were identified.

Brazil’s Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) has launched an inquiry into the cause of the crash. Investigators have recovered the aircraft’s black box, which contains crucial flight data that may help determine what led to the disaster.

The crash is one of the worst aviation accidents in Brazil’s history. It follows other significant tragedies, including the 2007 TAM Airlines crash in São Paulo and the 2009 Air France disaster over the Atlantic, both of which resulted in substantial loss of life. As the investigation continues, Brazil mourns the loss of those on board and seeks answers to prevent future tragedies.

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