Authorities have confirmed that all 62 individuals aboard the Voepass flight, which crashed in Vinhedo, São Paulo, have been recovered and identified. The twin-engine ATR 72-500, en route from Cascavel to Guarulhos airport, crashed in a residential area on Friday. The initial count of 61 casualties was revised to 62 following the discovery of an additional passenger.
The plane, which was built in 2010 and in good operating condition, crashed while descending into São Paulo. Footage on social media showed the aircraft spiraling before impact. Despite the severity of the crash, no one on the ground was injured, although one home sustained minor damage.
The state of São Paulo concluded the recovery operation late Saturday, moving the victims’ bodies to a city morgue for identification. Family members, who are staying in a local hotel, are assisting in the identification process.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, but authorities have retrieved the flight recorders. ATR, the aircraft manufacturer, has pledged cooperation with the investigation.
The crash, Brazil’s deadliest since 2007, prompted a three-day period of mourning declared by
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva extended his condolences to the victims’ families and expressed deep sadness over the tragedy.
