At least eight people dead after hot air balloon crashes in Brazil

Warning: This article contains graphic images and video which some readers may find distressing.

At least eight people have been reported dead following the crash of a hot air balloon in Brazil today (21 June).

The governor of Santa Catarina state, Jorginho Mello, took to Twitter to share information on the devastating incident.

"We are all shocked by the accident involving a balloon in Praia Grande, this Saturday morning," he said of the accident in the southeast of Brazil.

Mello went on: "Preliminary information indicates that there were 22 people on board,"

"So far, we have confirmed eight deaths and two survivors were rescued alive."

The governor added that first responders were at the scene and searching for others that were on board.

Videos of the incident have also done the rounds social media, which have claimed to capture the horrific incident in real time.

The local fire department based in the state of Santa Catarina confirmed that at least 22 people were on board the hot air balloon at the time of the disaster.

Footage which has been circulating on Twitter claiming to be of the moment the balloon caught fire can be seen below:

At 9.35am local time, fire officials stated: "The Santa Catarina Military Fire Department (CBMSC) is currently responding to a balloon crash in the municipality of Praia Grande, in the south of the state, which occurred on the morning of Saturday, June 21.

"The corporation confirms 4 deaths at the scene and the other victims are being treated, searched for and evaluated by our teams."

Governor Mello also provided an update, writing on Twitter: "Accident update: 21 people on board - 8 fatalities, 13 survivors.

"Our teams continue to provide all necessary support to families and victims.

"We continue to monitor the situation."