Lula decreed three days of mourning for victims of plane crash in southeastern Brazil

Brazilian President Lula da Silva on Friday declared three days of mourning following a plane crash in Sao Paulo state that killed 61 people.

“In memory of the 61 victims of the tragic accident in Vinhedo, we declare official mourning for three days in the country,” the president wrote on the social network X, along with the official decree.

Earlier on Friday, a plane departing from Cascavel, in the state of Paraná, bound for Guarulhos Airport in Sao Paulo, with 57 passengers and four crew members, crashed in the municipality of Vinhedo.

Videos shared on social media show the plane spinning on its axis as it crashes to the ground in a populated area.

Voepass airline reported that it is working with authorities to determine the cause of the accident and that the plane was not subject to any flight restrictions, “with all its systems suitable for carrying out the operation.”

Federal Police said it has launched an investigation into the causes of the plane crash and that specialists in air accidents, identification of disaster victims, and others will be sent to the scene. (Sputnik)