Plane crash in São Paulo State of Brazil claims 61 lives

New Delhi, Aug 10: A plane crash in the Brazilian state of São Paulo has claimed the lives of all 61 people on board. The twin-engine turboprop aircraft, an ATR 72-500, was en route from Cascavel in Paraná to Guarulhos Airport in São Paulo city when it tragically crashed in the town of Vinhedo, according to Voepass airline.

Footage shared on social media shows the plane spiralling downwards in a vertical descent before impacting a residential area. The aircraft was carrying 57 passengers and four crew members. Local authorities have confirmed that there were no survivors.

In response to the tragedy, Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva extended his condolences to the victims' families and friends, while São Paulo state Governor Tarcísio Gomes de Freitas declared three days of mourning.

The plane crashed into a residential neighbourhood, but fortunately, there were no injuries on the ground. Only one home in a local condominium complex suffered damage. Video from the scene showed a large fire and smoking wreckage amidst a cluster of houses. Emergency services, including police and fire crews, quickly arrived on the scene.

Among the victims were two trainee doctors from the Uopeccan Cancer Hospital in Cascavel. This tragedy marks Brazil's deadliest plane crash since 2007, when a TAM Express aircraft crashed at São Paulo's Congonhas Airport, resulting in 199 fatalities.

President Lula expressed his sorrow on social media, describing the news as "very sad" and offering his solidarity to the grieving families and friends of the victims.