Ten passengers have died, while 17 others on the ground sustained serious injuries in Brazil after a small private plane fell from the sky and crashed into a building in Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul, on Sunday.

According to authorities, the plane which crashed in Gramado at 9:15 a.m., minutes after take off from a nearby airport, was said to be owned and piloted by businessman Luiz Claudio Salgueiro Galeazzi, with those on board believed to be his relatives.

Civil defence officials, in a statement, said the plane conveying the passengers hit the building’s chimney and its second floor before it crashed into a furniture store.

Confirming the casualty figures in a news conference, Governor Eduardo Leite said flight conditions on the day were poor, with the area experiencing rain and fog.

It has not been ascertained if the bad weather was the cause of the crash.

Noting that most of those injured are suffering from smoke inhalation, with two women undergoing treatment for burns, Mr Leite also expressed his condolences.

“We wish to express our solidarity with the families of the passengers on this plane, who unfortunately did not survive a serious accident,” he stated.

Also expressing his condolences, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, on X, said, “I hope that the injured have speedy recovery. 

“The air force is investigating the causes of the accident, and the federal government is at the disposal of the state government and local authorities to provide clarification as soon as possible.”