São Paulo:   A plane crash near São Paulo, Brazil on August 9 resulted in the deaths of all 61 passengers and crew members on board. The aircraft, an ATR-72 regional twin-engine plane, was en route from Cascavel in Parana state to Sao Paulo’s International Airport when the tragedy occurred.

The aircraft lost control and crashed into trees near homes, with video footage showing a dramatic freefall and a large plume of smoke. Local officials confirmed that no survivors were found, although the nearby residential area was largely unaffected apart from minor damage to one house.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva addressed the tragedy at a public event, calling for a moment of silence for the victims. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.