Written by Marcella Ayres
(Reuters) – A small plane carrying 10 people crashed into shops in the center of the tourist city of Gramado in southern Brazil on Sunday, killing all those on board, government officials in the Brazilian state said.
The plane's owner and pilot, Luiz Claudio Galeazzi, died along with the nine other passengers, all members of his family, according to Rio Grande do Sul's governor, Eduardo Leite.
In addition, 17 people were injured on the ground, and 12 people are still receiving care in hospital, including two in critical condition, Light said in a press conference.
The governor said the twin-engine Piper PA-42-1000 plane, manufactured in 1990, took off shortly after 9 a.m. local time from nearby Canela Airport and was heading to Jundiai in Sao Paulo state under unfavorable weather conditions.
He pointed out that the cause of the accident is being investigated by the Center for Aviation Accident Investigation and Prevention (CINEPA).
Authorities said the plane first struck the chimney of a building and then the second floor of a house before crashing into a furniture store. Debris also reached a nearby motel.
Located in a mountainous region, Gramado is the most popular tourist destination in Rio Grande do Sul, which was severely affected earlier this year by unprecedented floods that claimed dozens of lives, destroyed infrastructure and greatly disrupted the state's economy.
The incident occurred a few days before Christmas, a particularly busy period for the city, which is traditionally decorated with decorations and hosts festive events.
