Seven Dead in Small Plane Crash in Brazil

Seven people died on Sunday after a small plane they were aboard crashed in a rural area of Minas Gerais state in southeastern Brazil, according to authorities. The single-engine aircraft, which departed from Campinas in São Paulo, broke apart in mid-air around 10:30 AM (1:30 PM GMT) in the mining town of Itabirito, firefighters in Minas Gerais told Agence France-Presse. They clarified that all seven individuals aboard the plane were "found dead," after initially reporting the discovery of three bodies among the wreckage. Photos taken by local residents show the plane's wreckage shortly after it crashed on a hill covered with grass and trees, which were circulated on social media and Brazilian media. Heavy rain fell in the morning in the area where the tragedy occurred. Experts from the state civil police, along with members from the aviation accident investigation and prevention center, are still working on-site to determine the cause of the incident.