India, June 22 -- A hot-air balloon caught fire and fell from the sky in Brazil's Santa Catarina state on Saturday, killing eight people, officials confirmed. Videos posted on social media showed a massive billow of smoke coming from the balloon as it tumbled towards the ground in Praia Grande.

After the crash, 13 people who survived were taken to hospitals, Santa Catarina's military fire brigade said. Twenty-one people were on board, including the pilot. The accident took place at around 8 AM local time, Lt. Col. Zevir Cipriano Jr., a military firefighter, said.

The pilot reportedly revealed that he told the passengers to jump out of the basket as the balloon fell to the ground. Those who leapt quickly are believed to be the ones who s...