Photo: Pexles
A balloon fell onto a parked airplane at Santos Dumont Airport in the central region of Rio de Janeiro on Sunday (14). The airplane was being refueled. Subsequently, the balloon brushed against the runway and caught fire, which was controlled by airport staff.
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At Santos Dumont, no information was provided, and the report was directed to the Brazilian Airport Infrastructure Company (Infraero). When contacted by Agência Brasil, Infraero, which manages Santos Dumont Airport, stated that “press inquiries via email are responded to on business days, from Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.”
Campaign
The Military Fire Department of the State of Rio de Janeiro (CBMERJ) was not called to the scene but expressed regret over the incident. On April 26, the department launched the “Balloon kills” campaign, aiming to show the population the consequences of this practice through real videos posted on its social media channels. The initiative is carried out in partnership with the State Civil Police, through the Environmental Protection Police Station (DPMA), which will intensify investigations related to this criminal activity, especially with the approaching June festivities.
Colonel Leandro Monteiro, State Secretary of Civil Defense and Commander-General of CBMERJ, emphasized that “releasing balloons has always been a crime.” However, he admitted that nowadays, social media tends to amplify these activities that can result in true tragedies. Monteiro recalled that recently a balloon fell on the Guandu Water Treatment Station, which could have left the entire metropolitan region without water.
“In January of this year, in the middle of summer, another balloon fell on Leme Beach, which was crowded, and could have caused a real disaster. It is important for the population to become aware. This is a fight for all of us! Releasing balloons is not cool, it’s not Instagrammable. It’s a crime!” stated the secretary.
According to data from the Brazilian Air Force’s Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA), approximately 100,000 balloons are released each year in the country. The state of Rio de Janeiro is among the leaders in sightings of unmanned hot air balloons, reported CBMERJ.
