News
SAD! 62 Bodies Recovered From Brazil Plane Crash Site
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Brazilian authorities successfully completed the recovery of all 62 bodies from the plane that tragically crashed on Friday
Investigators has began examining the aircraft’s black boxes to uncover the cause of the disaster.
Videos captured the ATR 72-500 aircraft in a terrifying downward spiral before it crashed into a residential area in Vinhedo, located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of São Paulo, Brazil’s financial hub.
Operated by the airline Voepass, the plane descended almost vertically, landing on its belly and bursting into flames with such force that it was nearly “flattened,” according to São Paulo fire lieutenant, Olivia Perroni Cazo.
“All 62 bodies (34 male and 28 female) have been recovered and transported to the morgue in São Paulo for identification and return to their families,” the regional government reported on Saturday evening.
Two victims have already been identified through fingerprint analysis, including the pilot and co-pilot, said Vinhedo Mayor Dario Pacheco.
The twin-engine turboprop, manufactured by aviation firm ATR, was on a flight from Cascavel in southern Paraná state to São Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport.
Experts from Brazil’s Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) have begun analyzing the black boxes recovered from the wreckage, which contain cabin conversations and in-flight data, said CENIPA chief Marcelo Moreno.
A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, according to the Brazilian Air Force.
Flight Radar 24 data indicated that the plane had been flying for about an hour at an altitude of 17,000 feet (5,180 meters) before it began losing altitude rapidly at 1:21 p.m. local time (1621 GMT). Radar contact was lost just a minute later at 1:22 p.m.
The air force noted that the crew did not declare an emergency, and weather conditions were not reported as a factor.
ATR, the aircraft’s manufacturer, which is a joint venture between Airbus and Italy’s Leonardo, stated that their experts would assist with the investigation.
The plane, which had been in service since 2010, met all current standards, and the four crew members were fully certified, according to Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency.
Voepass’s operations director, Marcel Moura, confirmed that the aircraft underwent routine maintenance the night before the accident and no technical issues were found.
However, some experts speculated that icing on the wings might have contributed to the crash. Moura noted that while the plane operated at an altitude where it could be more sensitive to icing, the conditions on Friday were “within acceptable parameters for a flight.”
The crash left the plane’s fuselage a charred, twisted heap of metal. Despite the devastation, there were no casualties on the ground.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared three days of national mourning in response to the tragedy, one of the worst aviation accidents in the country’s history.
“It was horrible, horrible… such a sad tragedy,” said Lourdes da Silva Astolfo, 67, who lives just meters from the crash site.
According to AFP, she described feeling a “rumbling, almost like a tremor,” before seeing the plane nearly overhead.
Seconds later, it crashed, followed by stunned screams from neighbors as thick smoke billowed into the air.
The normally quiet, wooded neighborhood where the crash occurred saw a heavy presence of police, ambulances, and fire trucks on Saturday.
Voepass confirmed that all victims were traveling on Brazilian identity documents, including a dual citizen from Portugal and a family of three Venezuelans.
This incident marks Brazil’s most devastating air disaster in 17 years.
In a move to foster skills acquisition and promote economic empowerment, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Education Secretariat through the Department of Mass Education has flagged off a one-week free holiday vocational and entrepreneurship training program.
The program is a collaborative initiative of the FCT Department of Mass Education, The Potter’s Wheel Foundation, and the Nigerian Non-Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services (NOGALSS).
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo emphasized the Importance of skills acquisition and entrepreneurship in today’s world describing it as imperative to be self reliant , empowered and resourceful.
He highlighted the Wike- led FCT Administration’s commitment to championing the Renewed Hope Agenda adding that the initiative is a critical strategy for reducing unemployment and building resilience among Abuja residents through practical skill acquisition and entrepreneurship training.
He commended the Department on the synergy between the government and non-governmental organizations noting that it will further empower the people of the FCT with skills and knowledge that lead to viable income-generating opportunities.
He urged the participants to fully utilize the opportunity, network actively and apply themselves diligently to the various training sessions.
In her welcome address,Dr. Favour Edem -Nse,the Director, FCT Department of Mass Education said,the training aligns with Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs) and contributes significantly to reducing the number of out- of- school children, unskilled youths and unemployed women in the Federal Capital Territory.
She added that, the Department goal is not just to train but to guide participants towards becoming self – sufficient and successful entrepreneurs .
She noted that the one week free training program is a manifestation of the Department ‘s broader vision of literacy and lifelong learning.
She revealed that the Department in collaboration with The Potter’s Wheel Foundation and the Nigerian Non- Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services( NOGALSS) will train them hands on session in production of laundry soap,bleach , liquid soap, toilet and car wash , disinfectant,air freshener,snack among others as well as key entrepreneurship modules on Bookkeeping and financial management, marketing and branding with social media management.
She expressed her gratitude to the Mandate Secretary for Education and the Management for the massive support of the life changing opportunity program targeted at women,youths, children and other community residents to equip them with tools for economic self reliance .
The well attended program which drew partner organizations, staff of the Department of Mass Education and enthusiastic participants will run throughout the week with facilitators providing continued support beyond the training period.
A 28-year-old electrician, whose name has not been revealed, has been electrocuted in Oyo State at Eruwa in Ibarapa East of Oyo State.
The victim was electrocuted at the Odo Babaode area of the town.
The man was electrocuted on a high-tension cable belonging to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
The incident occurred when the victim was trying to rectify an electrical fault on the active power lines without being shut down from the feeder.
The General Manager of Oyo State Fire Service, Mr Yemi Akinyinka, who confirmed the development, said a distress call was received by the agency Wednesday afternoon.
He said, “The distressed call was reported at 15:29hrs on Wednesday, 23rd April, 2025.
“The fire personnel led by PFS1 Peluola Babatunde quickly followed the caller and on arrival at the place, we met the victim already electrocuted, and all necessary precautionary measures were observed so as to safeguard the citizens within the vicinity.
“The man was recovered and handed over to a team of police from Eruwa police Station. The incident occurred when the victim (electrician) was trying to rectify an electrical fault on the active power lines without shutting down the feeder.”
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