In a startling turn of events, Arianne Risso and seven other physicians perished when the plane they were aboard crashed from the Brazilian sky. With plans to reach Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos international airport, Risso boarded the unfortunate aircraft in Cascavel, Parana State, Friday. Those who saw the ATR 72 twin-engine turboprop spiraling down will always associate the plane with Vinhedo. In a guarded community, the jet sharply plummeted into a lawn and erupted into flames. Unfortunately, the catastrophe claimed all 62 people on board—including the eight physicians.
The heartbreaking news was confirmed by Parana’s Medical Council, which said the physicians were en route to attend an oncology conference to improve their knowledge of an illness that yearly takes the lives of tens of thousands of Brazilians.
This sad event has rocked the nation and left many in grief. “It is with great sadness that we learn of the plane crash in Vinhedo,” Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said in expressing his sympathies. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families during this difficult time.
Authorities are working hard to determine the cause of the collision; the surrounding events are currently under investigation. Saying, “The initial findings suggest that there may be a technical failure leading to the crash, but it is still too early to draw any definitive conclusions,” Brazilian Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) spokesman Gabriela do Amaral offered some insight into the continuing inquiry.
The medical community, as well as the people these physicians treated, suffer greatly from their deaths. “These doctors were dedicated professionals, committed to saving lives and improving healthcare in Brazil,” said Dr. Carlos Eduardo Conceiç<0xC3><0xA3>o, the Regional Director of the Brazilian Medical Association, in expressing his sorrow. The medical community loses greatly from their early deaths; they will be sorely missed.”
Many people and groups expressed their sympathies and considered the influence these doctors had as word of the tragedy traveled. Emphasizing the value of their work, the Brazilian Cancer Society said in a statement, “These doctors were instrumental in the fight against cancer, a disease that kills many, countless lives. They will be recognized for their great accomplishments, as they were dedicated to their patients and relentlessly expanded their expertise.
