Brazil plane crash: Horror as aircraft carrying 62 people crashes in Sao Paulo area

Shocking aftermath shows scene of plane crash in Sao Paulo area

A passenger plane carrying 62 people has crashed in a populous city in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, local firefighters confirmed. 

Emergency services including military police and civil defence authorities rushed to the city of Vinhedo, home to more than 80,100 people, where the aircraft crashed. 

Harrowing clips shared by local broadcaster GloboNews showed the aircraft drifting downward and spiralling towards the ground. 

A massive column of thick black smoke erupted from the area of the incident, and the footage also appeared to show a large fire engulfing the fuselage of the ATR-72 plane, operated by Voepass. 

The Voepass Linhas Aereas airline said there were four crew members and 58 passengers aboard the plane at the moment of the crash.  

It added it didn't yet have an update on whether there have been fatalities or injuries. The cause of the incident is still unknown.  

A statement by the airline read: "The aircraft took off from Cascavel-PR bound for Guarulhos Airport, with 58 passengers and four crew members on board. VOEPASS has taken all measures to support those involved.

"There is still no confirmation of how the accident occurred or the current situation of the people on board. The Company is providing support via telephone at 0800 9419712, available 24 hours a day, providing information to all its passengers, family members and employees."

As stated by Voepass, the aircraft had departed from Cascavel, in the state of Parana. Data from Flightradar24 suggest the plane had taken off shortly before 12pm and was due to land one hour and 50 minutes later in Guarulhos International Airport, in the Sao Paolo state.  

A massive column of smoke emerged from the crash site (Image: GLOBONEWS)