As investigations progress into the devastating plane crash in Brazil that resulted in the deaths of 62 individuals, more information is emerging about the victims.
The tragic incident included the loss of medical professionals, including two cancer doctors, a three-year-old child, a lawyer specializing in airline lawsuits, and a Venezuelan family, alongside their pet dog.
All bodies have been recovered from the crash site that occurred in the state of São Paulo.
The twin-engine turboprop was en route from southern Paraná to Guarulhos Airport in São Paulo when it crashed in the town of Vinhedo.
Video footage showed the aircraft descending vertically in a spiraling motion.
The crash unfolded in a residential neighborhood; however, no injuries were reported among those on the ground, with only one home sustaining damage in a local condominium.
Among the deceased are medical practitioners from a local cancer hospital, Mariana Belim and Ariane Risso, who were part of a group attending a medical conference.
Among the most heart-wrenching losses was three-year-old Liz Ibba dos Santos, who was traveling with her father, Rafael Fernando dos Santos. Her mother, a journalist, was not aboard the flight.
Other victims included a family attempting to return to Venezuela after facing difficulties in Brazil. The family consisted of Josgleidys Gonzalez, her mother Maria Gladys Parra Holguin, and her young son Joslan Perez.
A family friend shared that they had left Venezuela to escape economic hardship but encountered challenges with Joslan’s documentation, leading them to return home.
They had planned to transition through São Paulo before continuing their journey and brought their dog, Luna, aboard, having ensured all vaccination requirements were met.
The crash also claimed the life of lawyer Laiana Vasatta, known for her work at the Court of Justice of Paraná and for guiding consumers on social media.
On Saturday evening, authorities concluded operations to recover the victims’ bodies, totaling 34 males and 28 females. The remains have been transferred to a police morgue in São Paulo for identification and release to families.
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation as analysis of the flight recorders has commenced. Preliminary findings from the Brazilian Air Force are expected within 30 days.
This tragic event is recorded as Brazil’s deadliest aviation disaster since 2007, when a TAM Express flight crashed at São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport, claiming 199 lives.
