Brazil: Plane Crash In Sao Paulo Kills All 61 On Board

A regional turboprop aircraft with 61 passengers crashed near Sao Paulo in Brazil, killing all on board.

Video shared on social media showed the ATR-manufactured plane spiralling out of control before crashing behind a group of trees near residential areas, with a massive plume of black smoke rising shortly afterward.

Authorities in Valinhos, close to Vinhedo, confirmed there were no survivors and noted that only one house in the nearby condominium complex sustained damage, with all residents unharmed.

"I have to be the bearer of really bad news," said President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaking at an event shortly after the crash, Reuters reported.

Voepass Airlines said that the aircraft had taken off from Cascavel, in Parana state, and was en route to Sao Paulo's main international airport when it crashed in Vinhedo, around 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Sao Paulo.

The unlisted airline could not disclose further details about the cause of the crash involving the plane registered as PS-VPB.

Shortly after the incident, Sao Paulo's state fire brigade dispatched seven crews to the crash site.

According to flight tracking service FlightRadar24, the plane was an ATR 72-500 turboprop. ATR is a joint venture between Airbus and the Italian aerospace firm Leonardo.

Also Read: Dispute Over Shivling Worship at Mawjymbuin Cave In Meghalaya: High Court Asks Hindu Society, Village Council To Resolve Issue